preview

The Structure Of Eukaryotic Chromosomes

Good Essays

Humans are all totally unique in one way. That one way is DNA. Human DNA is very complex and it takes on a certain structure in order for it to function correctly. Understanding the structure of eukaryotic chromosomes, or condensed forms of DNA, and how they function helps scientists understand how human DNA is unique. These highly specialized cells help eukaryotic organisms, such as humans, to sustain life.
What is a eukaryotic organism? A eukaryotic organism is any organism with complex cells, or a single cell with a complex structure. These eukaryotic organisms cells genetic material is organized into chromosomes found in a nucleus. These eukaryotic cells also have membrane bound organelles, which distinguishes them from other types of organisms.
Structure of Eukaryotic Chromosomes Multi celled organisms like human beings require a large amount of DNA. There are two meters of DNA in every human cell but the cell’s nucleus diameter is only 5-8 micrometers. So how does all that DNA fit into our cell’s nucleus? Well the very long double stranded DNA molecules are tightly packed into chromosomes, which are highly compacted. Chromosome 22, for example, has 48 million nucleotide pairs which, if stretched out end to end the DNA would extended 1.5 cm. Chromosome 22 during the stage of mitosis it measures at an astonishing 2 micrometers. This is ten thousand times tighter then if the DNA was stretched out all the way. DNA has the assistance of the chromosomal proteins, histones

Get Access