Question

The human genome contains approximately how many base pairs per diploid cell?

Options

• 4.6 × 10⁶ base pairs

• 2.2 × 10⁸ base pairs

• 3.3 × 10⁹ base pairs

• 6.6 × 10⁹ base pairs

Answer 1

The human genome contains approximately 6.6 × 10⁹ (6.6 billion) base pairs per diploid cell. When this DNA is fully stretched out, it would measure approximately 2.2 metres in length, yet it must be compacted to fit inside a nucleus only about 10⁻⁶ m (1 micrometre) in diameter.