DNA and You
Deep in the very center of every cell, in every living thing, is one of life's most amazing wonders -- DNA.
Scientists discovered Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA, in the 1940s. It was an amazing discovery that allowed us to start researching and understanding our genetic makeup. DNA has been called the "thread of life" because it plays such an important role in heredity and cell growth.
And even though DNA is what makes each of us unique, it's a fact that ninety-nine point nine percent of all DNA is exactly the same -- in plants, animals, and humans. It's that little one-tenth of a percent that makes each and every one of us different.
Different species. Different races. Different people.
What is DNA?
DNA is like a fingerprint or a snowflake of your genetic makeup. Your DNA is different from everyone else's. There are no two DNA makeups that are exactly alike.
So whether you take a cell sample from your hair or your blood, your DNA is the same throughout your whole body.
It's truly amazing when you think about the fact that there are 10 trillion cells in our bodies, and while they come in all shapes and sizes, the DNA is exactly the same in each one of them. And because the information it stores is so very complex, it's almost impossible to comprehend how DNA does what it does!
But just as our laptop computers can store huge amounts of complicated information, so can our DNA.
Your DNA takes your unique, stored information and makes up your genes. Genes are what carry family traits from one generation to the next. You are a combination of your parents' DNA, and your genetic code is what makes you you -- how tall you are, what color your hair is, why your skin is soft like your mother's or why you are tall like your father.
One of the key roles DNA plays in life is cell reproduction or cell growth. Cells grow by dividing in two. But before cell division can start, a process called replication must take place. That's where DNA copies itself so that when the cell does divide, it will be an exact replica of itself.
During this copying stage, two strands of DNA separate. The separated pieces break off and form new DNA strands. They do this by pairing up with other pieces that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.
Once replication takes place, a cell is ready to divide, which it may do thousands of times in its lifetime as our bodies grow and change.
When cells are healthy and growing properly, the DNA is replicated time and time again, exactly the same way in each cell. But when cells are not healthy or damaged, our DNA may replicate incorrectly. That can have an impact on your skin.
DNA & Healthy SkinLet's talk more about what DNA has to do with skin beauty. DNA provides the building instructions or "blueprint" for our skin, determining surface texture, color, flexibility/resilience, and smoothness/softness.
When skin cells are healthy and thriving on the inside, it shows on the outside -- your face, for example, is glowing, soft, and beautiful -- the way it should be.
But as scientists have discovered, your skin is very vulnerable to damage, from all kinds of things such as smoking and pollution, but especially from the sun. Its UV light can often penetrate through the cell membrane and right into the DNA, causing great harm inside our cells. And when the environment damages our cells, our DNA directs the "repair" process per the original "blueprint."
Sometimes that causes our DNA to replicate itself incorrectly. Sometimes the damage is so great it can't replicate itself at all. In that case, the cells can't divide and grow like they're supposed to, resulting in wrinkles and dry skin.
But our cells are strong. They want to live and they want to grow, so they are always fighting back.
They can quickly detect changes and then respond immediately in a way that will best ensure their survival. However, as we age, our defense mechanisms diminish.
The good news is that as scientists understand more about how DNA functions within our cells, research is leading to new and better ways to protect this life-giving element so it can perform its incredibly complex job. In fact, in the last 20 years scientists have discovered a mechanism that protects DNA. This mechanism is an enzyme that actually restores DNA to its original state.
You benefit from this advanced science with new, innovative ways that protect your DNA and help you maintain a youthful, healthy appearance.
It's important for each of us to learn more about what we can do to protect our cells and our DNA. After all, it's what makes you à you! |