If a double-stranded DNA molecule of 125 million base pairs were scaled to the size of a human hair, it would have a diameter of 0.003 inches and be 1 mile long. If this scaled-up DNA molecule were condensed and compacted into a chromosome, into which of the objects below could that chromosome fit?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A condensed and compacted chromosome would be approximately 10,000 times smaller than the scaled-up DNA molecule. Therefore, it could easily fit into a soda can, which is significantly larger than the chromosome. The other objects listed (pencil eraser, tennis ball, basketball, bathtub) are all too large to hold a condensed chromosome.

If a Double-Stranded DNA Molecule of 125 Million Base Pairs