Where Is DNA Found in a Cell?

From the single cell of bacteria to the trillions of humans, cells, often called the “building blocks of life,” make up all living things. Each of these cells is a discrete structure surrounded by a cell membrane and filled with a thick solution called the cytoplasm. In human cells, most DNA is found in a compartment inside the cell called the nucleus. It is called nuclear DNA.In addition to nuclear DNA, small amounts of DNA in humans and other complex organisms can also be found in mitochondria. This DNA is called mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Most plants have a set of DNA contained in their chloroplasts called chloroplast DNA (cpDNA). The complete set of DNA is called the genome.

Where is DNA located in eukaryotic cells?

In general, cells can be grouped into two different types: cells found in prokaryotes (prokaryotic cells) and cells found in eukaryotes (eukaryotic cells). Prokaryotes tend to be unicellular and lack a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-enclosed structures called organelles. These include two distinct groups: bacteria and archaea. Eukaryotes can be unicellular or multicellular. Unlike prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and other organelles. Eukaryotes include a wide variety of organisms, from fungi to plants and animals. Most of the genetic material in most prokaryotes takes the form of a single circular DNA molecule, or chromosome, and many prokaryotes also contain small circular DNA molecules called plasmids. . They are distinct from their chromosomal DNA and in specific environments can confer certain advantages such as resistance to antibiotics. chloroplasts in plants). Nuclear DNA is organized into linear molecules called chromosomes, and the size and number of chromosomes vary considerably between species. For example, fruit flies (Drosophila) have 4 chromosomes, while toads (Xenopus laevis) have 18 chromosomes. In humans, most cells normally have 46 chromosomes, or 23 pairs. Exceptions include mature red blood cells that do not contain DNA, sperm, and egg cells with 23 unpaired chromosomes. Wrapping DNA around histones is important, because otherwise most of the DNA molecules wouldn’t fit inside the cell. For example, in humans, the total length of DNA in a cell, if you open and stretch the DNA molecules out- to the end, would be more than six feet (or about two meters) long. But that amount of DNA has to fit into the nucleus of a cell, which is only 5 to 10 μm in diameter. This means that fitting all the DNA in the nucleus of a human cell is the equivalent of wrapping 24 miles (about 40 km) of very fine strands into a tennis ball!

What is the function of DNA in the cell?

The main function of DNA in cells is to store genetic information that allows organisms to grow, function, and reproduce. Information encoded in DNA can be passed from generation to generation and serves as a biological manual that makes each organism unique. (mRNA). This process is called transcription. In many cases, the information contained in DNA needs to be translated into proteins to carry out commands, because proteins do most of the work in the cell, performing a variety of important functions.

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