Nuclear DNA
Nuclear DNA (pronounced: noo-klee-er dee-en-ey) is the DNA that is contained within the nucleus of a cell. It is the most common form of genetic material and is responsible for the majority of genetic information in a living organism.
Etymology
The term "nuclear" comes from the Latin nucleus, meaning "kernel" or "core". The term "DNA" is an acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid, the chemical name for the molecule that carries genetic instructions in all living things.
Description
Nuclear DNA is organized into chromosomes, which are structures within the cell nucleus that contain many genes. Each gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein. These proteins carry out all the functions of the cell and the organism as a whole.
In humans, there are 46 chromosomes in each cell, organized into 23 pairs. One pair, the sex chromosomes, determines the sex of the individual. The other 22 pairs, the autosomes, contain the rest of the genetic information.
Replication
Nuclear DNA replicates, or makes copies of itself, during the process of cell division. This ensures that each new cell has the same genetic information as the original cell. Errors in DNA replication can lead to mutations, which can cause diseases such as cancer.
Comparison with Mitochondrial DNA
Nuclear DNA is different from mitochondrial DNA, which is found in the mitochondria of the cell. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother, while nuclear DNA is inherited from both parents.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nuclear DNA
- Wikipedia's article - Nuclear DNA
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