How long could the DNA in each human cell stretch when unraveled?

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The DNA in each human cell, when unraveled, can stretch approximately 2-3 meters. This length comes from understanding the structure of DNA and the amount contained within each cell. Each human cell typically contains about 6 feet (approximately 1.8 meters) of DNA, given that humans have around 3 billion base pairs and each base pair is roughly 0.34 nanometers long.

This stretching distance is significant when considering that the entire DNA must fit within the nucleus of the cell, which is only about 6 micrometers in diameter. The cellular processes that compress and organize DNA make it feasible for such a large amount of genetic material to fit within a small space. Thus, the length of 2-3 meters not only aligns well with the scientific data about the structure of DNA but also reflects how the DNA is packaged within the cell.

The other options either underestimate or overestimate the true length, reinforcing that 2-3 meters is the most accurate representation of the DNA length in an unraveled state within a human cell.

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