2006-07-10 05:20:45 · 9 answers · asked by prune 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
...Even though the cell's diameter is 25000 times smaller than this.
2006-07-10 05:24:23 · update #1
DNA has several levels of structure.
Primary structure is the AA sequence
Secondary structure is the alpha helix
Tertiary structure is how it reacts with itself...
DNA is tightly wound in the helix, kind of like if you coil a ribbon when wrapping a present, the coil is a lot shorter than the straight ribbon. Also, dna bends and twists to interact with itself...it has hydrophobic and hydrophillic regions, it has cysteines which can form disulfide bonds. All these things further "ball up" dna into a tiny area.
2006-07-10 06:14:34 · answer #1 · answered by embem171 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Actually, according to some sources, the amount of DNA in one of your cells is approximately 3m in length. This is every chromosome stretched to it's furthest form, laid end-to-end -- which never happens (unless you break open the cell and try to take it out). DNA is wound around itself (a double helix) and proteins called histones which allow it to back itself into tight little coils. These coils loop on top of themselves, forming dense structures of DNA that we call chromosomes. So that 3m of DNA is actually about 120-140 micrometers of DNA in the cell, which is about 2-3 micrometers per chromosome.
Now, DNA isn't condensed like this all the time - it is unwound and rewound when it is being used for normal cell functions. The cell decides how to organize this genetic structure to suit its needs.
2006-07-10 07:20:20 · answer #2 · answered by michelsa0276 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The DNA is very tightly packed and well organized, with the help of proteins. The first level of organization is that of "beads on a string,' where DNA is organized around proteins called histones (I think 8 proteins make up the histones: H2A, H2B, 2HA, 2HB...cant remember). The next level has to do with loops or some such. The next level has to do with coils or some such. The next level has to do with chromosomes.
2006-07-10 18:52:43 · answer #3 · answered by mrvsevolodovich 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your small intestine is between six and eigh meters long, yet I'm willing to bet that the diameter of your belly is the much less than that. The answer to your DNA question is the same.
2006-07-10 05:39:36 · answer #4 · answered by Jon R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you cant see DNA... but it does fold a rediculous amount... plus most of the 2 meters will be "spliced out" since they are what is known as "introns" and the actual piece of DNA that has the message on it will be VERY much shorter... even if you count the poly- A tail at the end and the promotor and terminator sequences!
2006-07-10 05:57:29 · answer #5 · answered by Peter Griffin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you actually seen DNA? DNA is so thin that 2 meter of it can fit a small cell.
2006-07-10 05:41:54 · answer #6 · answered by John 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DNA in eukaryotes is wrapped around proteins called histones, which become organized and allow for more wrapping, and more wrapping. This is called chromatin, which organizes into chromosomes. Grab a golf balls and wrap a string around each ~1.25 times in a continuous fashion, then start wrapping the golf balls. you will get the picture
2006-07-10 07:49:50 · answer #7 · answered by bunja2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because DNA is molecular in size and all curled up like a ball of spaghetti. And because God is awesome!
2006-07-10 05:28:55 · answer #8 · answered by marsroxx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may think I'm being facetious, but it's because it folds up a lot.
2006-07-10 05:29:54 · answer #9 · answered by Sonia M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋