ABSTRACT
The polynucleotides, which determine the genetic capability of the cell, are DNA and RNA. They are composed of nucleotide monomers (as described earlier).
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
Location
Although there is a small amount of free DNA in the mitochondria (see earlier), it makes up less than 0.1% of the total DNA in a cell. The rest of the DNA (>99.9%) is located within the nucleus and bound to proteins (e.g. histones), forming a complex known as chromatin (Figure 18.52). When cells are not dividing, chromatin is structurally indistinct but it becomes more organized into characteristic chromatids during cell division (see later).
