The Second Edition of Understanding DNA has been entirely revised and updated, and expanded by more than 50% to cover new advances. The book explains step-by-step how DNA forms specific structures, the nature of these structures, and how they fundamentally affect the biological processes of transcription and replication.The functional properties of any molecule are directly related to and affected by its structure; this is especially true for DNA, the molecule that carries the code for all life on earth. Written in a clear, concise, and at times lively fashion, Understanding DNA is essential reading for all molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics students, for newcomers to the field from such areas as physics or chemistry, and for even the most seasoned researchers who really want to understand DNA.Key Features* New edition, expanded by more than 50%* Completely revised and updated* Includes many additional and updated references* Summarizes the recent studies of DNA in disease and medicine* Contains more than 110 illustrations, some in full color* Describes the basic units of DNA and how these form the double helix* Characterizes the various types of DNA double helix that have been found* Explains how and why DNA twists and curves* Discusses the mechanisms of DNA supercoiling* Summarizes the assembly of DNA and proteins into chromosomes* Outlines the methods used to study DNA structureDescribes the latest work on protein-DNA complexes* Contains simple exercises and further reading at the end of each chapter