Question

The haploid content of human DNA is

• A. 3.3 × 10⁹ bp
• B. 3.3 × 10⁹ kbp
• C. 4.6 × 10⁶ bp
• D. 6.6 × 10⁹ bp

Answer 1

The correct option is A

3.3 × 10⁹ bp

The correct option is A.

Explanation for the correct option:

1. The human genome is more than 3 billion base pairs long in total.
2. The genome is divided into 22 pairs of paired chromosomes, plus the X chromosome (one in men, two in women), and one Y chromosome in only men.
3. By dividing the number of base pairs by 0.34 nanometers—the space between base pairs in the DNA double helix—chromosome lengths were calculated.
4. The entire genome size is 3286 Mb (=3.3 x 10 ⁹ bp), with chromosomal sizes ranging from 45 to 275 Mb.
5. As a result, there are 3.3 x 10 ⁹ base pairs in the haploid content.

Final answer: The haploid content of human DNA is 3.3 × 10⁹ bp