Few, if any, molecules can attest to being more important to life on earth than deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Life is based upon this critical molecule, as it defines the structure and function of each individual organism in which it is found. DNA comprises genes, which are responsible for the similarities between closely related organisms, as well as the unique and distinct differences that define individuals in these closely related groups. Such powerful and important responsibilities …showed first 75 words of 2999 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2999 total…Not only is cancer a serious problem resulting from such unrepaired mutations, but other disorders, such as Cocayne syndrome and trichothiodystrophy may result as well when defects in the genes producing essential! components in the NER pathway are observed (Araujo et al 2000). Such additional examples further emphasize the critical importance of DNA repair mechanisms in the cell to ensure that potentially disasterous DNA damage can be fixed and normal cell functioning can continue. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**