How to Calculate DNA Length
What is DNA Length?
The physical length of a DNA molecule is calculated from its base pair count. Each base pair contributes 0.34 nanometres. The human genome has ~3 billion bp giving about 1.8 metres of DNA per cell.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Length = bp × 0.34 nm
- 21 nm = 10⁻⁹ m
- 3Human diploid cell: 6×10⁹ bp × 0.34nm = ~2m total
Worked Examples
Input
Human genome: 3×10⁹ bp
Result
~1.02m per haploid genome
6×10⁹ bp per diploid cell = ~2m total
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