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You are made up of billions
of cells. Current estimates
put the figure somewhere
between 10 billion and 100
billion cells. Inside nearly
every
cell is a nucleus
containing your own unique
set of 46 chromosomes. Each
of these chromosomes
consists of a compact coil
of an incredibly long
molecule of deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA). DNA is so
tightly coiled that
approximately 1.8 metres of
it is able to fit into the
nucleus of a human cell.
DNA stores all the coded
information needed for
everyday growth and
metabolism. Its information
is passed down generations,
and influences your
appearance and the way your
body functions.
Almost every cell in
your body has a nucleus.
Inside the nucleus is where
you find the DNA, wrapped up
as chromosomes.
Like a mini factory,
cells have a number of
working areas called
organelles which perform
very specific functions. The
nucleus is the largest
organelle and acts as the
control room with the DNA as
instructions.
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