While it's a common misconception that every single cell in our bodies contains DNA, the reality is a bit more nuanced. Almost all living cells on Earth store their genetic information in DNA, including those in humans.
- DNA is the blueprint for life, containing the instructions for building and maintaining an organism.
- Most cells in our bodies, from heart cells to skin cells, have the same DNA, though only certain genes are activated in each cell type. This is what makes a heart cell different from a skin cell.
- However, there are exceptions. Some cells, like red blood cells, lose their nucleus and therefore their DNA during development. This is because they specialize to carry oxygen throughout the body and no longer need the information contained in DNA.
- Similarly, our outermost skin cells, nail cells, and hair cells also lack DNA. These cells are essentially dead and their primary function is to protect the body.
There is ongoing research into the possibility of DNA-less organisms, but currently, all self-reproducing cellular organisms have DNA as their genome.
