DNA in cells

1. DNA to Chromosomes

2. Human body cells each
contain about 2 meters of
DNA.
• If all the DNA in every cell of a person was
stretched out it would reach to the sun and back
more than 300 times!

3. How can
2 meters of DNA
fit here?!

4. The DNA Nucleosome
and
Supercoiling
The answer is:

5. Eukaryotic cell

6. The DNA nucleosome
Basic unit of DNA packaging in
eukaryotes, consisting of a segment of
DNA wound in sequence around histone
protein cores.

7. The DNA
nucleosome

8. • Histone proteins = small
positively charged
proteins that compact
DNA into the space of
the eukaryotic nucleus

9. Chromatin
• Chromatin = complex of
DNA, proteins, and RNA
with nucleosomes as
the basic structural &
functional unit.
• In eukaryotic cells, DNA
is found in the form of
chromatin during
Interphase (living,
functional phase)

10. • Euchromatin = loosely
packed, “active” DNA
segments
• Heterochromatin = tightly
packed, inactive regions
of DNA
• Non-histone proteins =
other proteins in nucleus
that are not associated
with nucleosomes
Chromatin

11. Prokaryotic DNA organization

13. DNA to Chromosomes
(Eukaryotic Cells)
"Chromatin Structures" by Original uploader was Richard Wheeler at en.wikipedia Later version(s) were uploaded by
Seans Potato Business at en.wikipedia. - Transferred from en.wikipedia; Transfer was stated to be made by
User:sevela.p.. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons -
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chromatin_Structures.png#mediaviewer/File:Chromatin_Structures.png
Chromosomes form when cells are
preparing to reproduce!
Chromosomes are passed from one cell
to the next!

14. Human Chromosome