Category: Science > Nitrogen
One of the most fascinating aspects of DNA is the presence of nitrogen, which constitutes a significant portion of its structure. In fact, nitrogen makes up about 15% of the weight of DNA. This essential element is found in the nitrogenous bases that form the rungs of the DNA ladder—adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. Nitrogen is crucial not only for the formation of these bases but also for the synthesis of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. This interplay between nitrogen and the genetic code highlights the intricate biochemical processes that sustain life and illustrates how fundamental elements come together to create the complex molecules that govern biological function.