ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of molecular biology

Molecular biology is like a magic box that helps scientists understand how living things work. Let me tell you the story of how this magic box was found.

Decades ago, scientists knew that living things are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. But they didn't know what makes up these cells. So, they started investigating the cell's structure and figured out that it's made up of molecules which are like tiny legos that build up the cell.

Soon scientists found out that molecules have different shapes and sizes, and each shape tells us something about their function. They started studying these shapes and how these molecules function to make life work.

At the same time, genetics was also booming, leading to discoveries such as DNA, genes, and how they influence the physical traits of living things. Scientists discovered that genetic information is written in the form of the molecule called DNA, and this information codes for specific functions.

In the 1950s, scientists discovered a model that showed how DNA is arranged, and they named it the double helix. This discovery paved the way for understanding how genetic information is coded within DNA.

Molecular biology was born when scientists joined the pieces of the puzzle together, understanding how molecules work together to make life. Today, scientists use molecular biology to make new discoveries about living things, including designing new medicines or understanding how genes tie with our health.

So, the history of molecular biology is like a puzzle that scientists have been putting together for a very long time. Their curiosity, hard work, and scientific discoveries have helped unlock the secrets of how living things work.
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