dna

[MyDisguise]

Is it true a single molecule of human DNA can stretch to over 3 foot long?

[ludwig]

Absolutely. I've got one in my penis.

[ludwig]

Be patient, you'll get serious answers shortly. I was just providing a stupid one while you were waiting. where's the harm?

[Clanad]

Actually, if stretched out, it would form very thin thread, about 6 feet (2 meters) long.  Additionally, the DNA molecule is threaded so fine that it is only possible to see it under high powerful electron microscopes. To get a sense of exactly how long an uncoiled DNA molecule is compared to a typical cell, a cell is magnified 1000 times. At this scale, the total length of all the DNA in the cell's nucleus would be 3 km -- the equivalent distance of the Lincoln Memorial to the capital in Washington, DC.

[Peter Pedant]

Loodwik - how crude ! How can you be so rude to a strangere ?

yes mydisguise, a DNA, (ds) molecule is around about a metre long.

If human DNA is a billion base pairs, and the pitch of one turn is around a nanometre, - the product works out as one, doesnt it?

Ludwig, honestly this was a serious question, I am shocked.....(at such public and needless crudity to a stranger....)

[dothawkes]

impressed with your knowledge Mydisguise, speak to u later