What is central dogma and describe the packing of $DNA$ helix?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Francis Crick proposed the Central Dogma in molecular biology, which states that genetic information flows from $DNA \to RNA \to$ protein.
In some viruses, the flow of information is in the reverse direction, that is, from $RNA$ to $DNA$.
Taking the distance between two consecutive base pairs as $0.34 \, nm$ $(0.34 \times 10^{-9} \, m)$, if the length of the $DNA$ double helix in a typical mammalian cell is calculated (by multiplying the total number of $bp$ with the distance between two consecutive $bp$, i.e., $6.6 \times 10^9 \, bp \times 0.34 \times 10^{-9} \, m/bp$), it is approximately $2.2 \, meters$.
This length is far greater than the dimension of a typical nucleus (approximately $10^{-6} \, m$).
In prokaryotes, such as $E. coli$, although they do not have a defined nucleus, the $DNA$ is not scattered throughout the cell. $DNA$ (being negatively charged) is held with some proteins (that have positive charges) in a region termed as 'nucleoid'. The $DNA$ in the nucleoid is organized in large loops held by proteins.
In eukaryotes, this organization is much more complex. There is a set of positively charged, basic proteins called histones. A protein acquires charge depending upon the abundance of amino acid residues with charged side chains. Histones are rich in the basic amino acid residues lysines and arginines. Both these amino acid residues carry positive charges in their side chains.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Jumping genes are found in

What does $Y$ represent in the given figure?

The complete flow chart of the Central Dogma is:

Match the process in Column-$I$ with the enzyme involved in Column-$II$.
Column-$I$Column-$II$
$(A)$ $DNA$ replication$(p)$ $RNA$ polymerase
$(B)$ Translation$(q)$ $DNA$ polymerase
$(C)$ Transcription$(r)$ Reverse transcriptase
$(D)$ Reverse transcription$(s)$ Aminoacyl synthetase

Select the code for the correct answer from the options given below.

$A$ $DNA$ strand is directly involved in the synthesis of the following,except:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo