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There are many diseases caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).

Although there is no known cure for the thalassemias, there are medical treatments that have been developed based on our current understanding of both gene regulation and cell differentiation.

The biological information contained in a genome is encoded in its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and is divided into discrete units called genes.

This must be done both during the transcription and the translation process.

Mutations serve the virus well by enabling adaptive traits, such as changes in the outer protein coat so that it can escape detection and thereby destruction by the host's immune system.

They perform such functions as transporting nutrients into the cell; synthesizing new DNA, RNA, and protein molecules; and transmitting chemical signals from outside to inside the cell, as well as throughout the cell-both critical to the process of making proteins.

These include the genes for hemophilia, red-green color blindness, and congenital night blindness.

Plants also have a second organelle, the chloroplast, which also has its own DNA. Cells often have multiple mitochondria, particularly cells requiring lots of energy, such as active muscle cells.

Genetic mutations occur randomly, and the effect of a small number of mutations on a single gene may be minimal.

Ribonucleic Acids
In addition to mRNA, DNA codes for other forms of RNA, including ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs). rRNAs and tRNAs participate in protein assembly whereas snRNAs aid in a process called splicing -the process of editing of mRNA before it can be used as a template for protein synthesis.

The Physical Structure of the Human Genome

Nuclear DNA

Inside each of our cells lies a nucleus, a membrane-bounded region that provides a sanctuary for genetic information.