A DNA molecule consists of two strands that wind around each other like a twisted ladder. Each strand has a backbone made of alternating groups of sugar (deoxyribose) and phosphate groups.

Rna plays a central role in turning genetic information into your body’s proteins

Mutations can result from DNA copying mistakes made during cell division, exposure to ionizing radiation, exposure to chemicals called mutagens, or infection by viruses.

When a cell divides, it replicates its DNA by splitting apart double-stranded DNA and makes new copies along the single strands of the original DNA. ... By always keeping the original DNA strands, it ensures that it maintains the original information.

Adenine,cytosine,uracil and guanine.

Mutations are caused by physical changes to the hereditary material and, because DNA is a long sequence of base pairs organized into physically unlinked chromosomes, there are many possible ways it can change.

Cells will duplicate or copy their DNA right before they divide. The process of cell division is called mitosis.

RNA carries out a broad range of functions, from translation genetic information into the molecular machines and structure of the cells

As a virus replicates, its genes undergo random “copying errors” (i.e. genetic mutations). Over time, these genetic copying errors can, among other changes to the virus, lead to alterations in the virus' surface proteins or antigens.