Where Is Dna Located In The Eukaryotic Cell? Prokaryotic Cell? - Wyzant

Subject ZIP Search Search Find an Online Tutor Now Ask Ask a Question For Free Login Biology where is dna located in the eukaryotic cell? prokaryotic cell? Follow • 2 Add comment More Report

1 Expert Answer

Best Newest Oldest By: Best Newest Oldest

Hi there Sam!

The prokaryotic cell is the most simple of these two. You may recall that, unlike eukaryotes, prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles. Their genome, composed of double-stranded DNA, is just floating in the cytoplasm in the shape of a circle; we call this the nucleoid.

Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, have membrane-bound organelles. This means that DNA can be stored elsewhere, perhaps to protect the genetic information or to make it easier to find (like storing your socks in one dresser). Most of the eukaryotic genome is stored in the nucleus, and it is found in the vast majority of eukaryotic cells*. The rest of the DNA can be found in the mitochondria, another membrane-bound organelle which is responsible for cellular respiration (that is, the process of making ATP for energy).

If you're having trouble remembering that small fraction of mitochondrial DNA that exists independently of the nucleus, familiarize yourself with the endosymbiotic theory. To summarize, scientists think the mitochondria was a cell of its own, complete with its own genome, which one day entered symbiosis with a larger host cell. A symbiotic relationship means that each player (the mitochondria and the host cell) benefit from it (unlike a parasitic relationship). Knowing this, we can recognize that there ought to be two locations of DNA in the modern-day eukaryotic cell, as opposed to one in the prokaryotic cell.

Hope this helps! Would be glad to explain this in simpler or more advanced terms if necessary.

* If you're curious, mature red blood cells get rid of nuclei to make space for hemoglobin and thus, oxygen. What this means is that the cells cannot reproduce, and therefore, when they reach the end of their lifespan, they're recycled for their parts.

Upvote • 0 Downvote Add comment More Report

Still looking for help? Get the right answer, fast.

Ask a question for free

Get a free answer to a quick problem. Most questions answered within 4 hours.

OR

Find an Online Tutor Now

Choose an expert and meet online. No packages or subscriptions, pay only for the time you need.

¢ € £ ¥ ‰ µ · • § ¶ ß ‹ › « » < > ≤ ≥ – — ¯ ‾ ¤ ¦ ¨ ¡ ¿ ˆ ˜ ° − ± ÷ ⁄ × ƒ ∫ ∑ ∞ √ ∼ ≅ ≈ ≠ ≡ ∈ ∉ ∋ ∏ ∧ ∨ ¬ ∩ ∪ ∂ ∀ ∃ ∅ ∇ ∗ ∝ ∠ ´ ¸ ª º † ‡ À Á Â Ã Ä Å Æ Ç È É Ê Ë Ì Í Î Ï Ð Ñ Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö Ø Œ Š Ù Ú Û Ü Ý Ÿ Þ à á â ã ä å æ ç è é ê ë ì í î ï ð ñ ò ó ô õ ö ø œ š ù ú û ü ý þ ÿ Α Β Γ Δ Ε Ζ Η Θ Ι Κ Λ Μ Ν Ξ Ο Π Ρ Σ Τ Υ Φ Χ Ψ Ω α β γ δ ε ζ η θ ι κ λ μ ν ξ ο π ρ ς σ τ υ φ χ ψ ω ℵ ϖ ℜ ϒ ℘ ℑ ← ↑ → ↓ ↔ ↵ ⇐ ⇑ ⇒ ⇓ ⇔ ∴ ⊂ ⊃ ⊄ ⊆ ⊇ ⊕ ⊗ ⊥ ⋅ ⌈ ⌉ ⌊ ⌋ 〈 〉 ◊

RELATED TOPICS

Science Chemistry Biochemistry Anatomy Physiology Zoology Botany Ecology Genetics Microbiology ... Ap Biology Human Biology Cellular Biology Cell Membrane Biology Tutor Dna Neuroscience Cell Biology Molecular Biology Embriology

RELATED QUESTIONS

How many chromosomes do humans have?

Answers · 19

Why do plant cells have cell walls?

Answers · 4

DNA to mRNA for three diferent strands of DNA, given "5-AGT-3"

Answers · 4

Why are white people white?

Answers · 8

Why does salt crystals dissolve in the water?

Answers · 9

RECOMMENDED TUTORS

Justin N.

5.0 (226)

Andrew R.

5 (76)

Alex I.

5.0 (807) See more tutors

find an online tutor

• Biology tutors
• Cell Biology tutors
• AP Biology tutors
• Microbiology tutors
• Biochemistry tutors
• Physiology tutors
• Anatomy tutors
• Actuarial Science tutors