DNA's length

[biostudent84]

As my studies focus more on animal populatons rather than cellular biology, I am lacking in certain knowledge in the area of cell biology.

I've had three different professors (two PhD's and one high school professor) tell me three completely different things. Please tell me which of the following statements is true, or if none of them are true, what is the correct answer?

"DNA, when stretched out completely is over 1 meter long."--said by High School teacher
"DNA, when stretched out completely is over 30 meters long."--said by Geneticist PhD
"DNA, when stretched out completely is over 40 kilometers long."--said by Cell Biologist PhD

Argh! The inconsistencies!!!!!

[zami'87.]

As my studies focus more on animal populatons rather than cellular biology, I am lacking in certain knowledge in the area of cell biology.

I've had three different professors (two PhD's and one high school professor) tell me three completely different things. Please tell me which of the following statements is true, or if none of them are true, what is the correct answer?

"DNA, when stretched out completely is over 1 meter long."--said by High School teacher
"DNA, when stretched out completely is over 30 meters long."--said by Geneticist PhD
"DNA, when stretched out completely is over 40 kilometers long."--said by Cell Biologist PhD

Argh! The inconsistencies!!!!!

I heard that human cell contains 2m of DNA.(an introduction to genetic analysis CD rom Little to me.

[biostudent84]

That's four differing estimates....anymore? =/

[Chris4]

I heard it was 100 miles long only joking.
This is from Molecular Biology of the Cell (4th Edition) 2004. Alberts et al. Textbook.
"Each human cell contains approximately 2 meters od DNA if stretched end-to-end"

The differences may be in different cells/organisms. It looks like the high school teacher was closest, although if you had all the dna in all the cells of the body, it may be 40km. you just need to find the average number of cells in human and times it by 2 meters.

[biostudent84]

My thanks to both of you. Always nice to learn and confirm facts like this before I use them in final essays =)

Kyle

[MrMistery]

I was also going to quote the Alberts book. 2m. Campbell book sais 1.8 meters if i recall correctly. Seems your high-school teacher was closest

By the way... did you mean human DNA? because the DNA of a bacteria is not that long

[adam00f]

my high school teacher said it was also 1.8 meters long but im late tho ahah

[woopwoop]

I was also going to quote the Alberts book. 2m. Campbell book sais 1.8 meters if i recall correctly. Seems your high-school teacher was closest

By the way... did you mean human DNA? because the DNA of a bacteria is not that long

and there's some DNA that's even longer!!

yeah I heard each cell about 2m all the genetic information is something like 2 mega sports fields or something. I really should remember first year stuff seeing as it is the basis for this year ... and last year .. hahaha

[Waters2]

So which is the actual length of DNA????? Make me confuse....

[biostudent84]

So which is the actual length of DNA????? Make me confuse....

Seems to be 2 meters for a human =D

[MrMistery]

I'll try measuring it with my ruller to see if they are wright

[Poison]

Good luck on your attempt, Andrew. I hope u will be successful...