TECHNOLOGY / Chromosome
Chromosome
In nucleus of cell (except bacteria), DNA molecule is packaged into thread-like structures called chromosomes. They are visible under a light microscope only when the cell is undergoing cell division.
Human cells have 23 pairs of chromosomes (22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes). Sex chromosomes determine the gender. In general, female is XX and male is XY.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule that contains the genetic code of all known organisms and many viruses. It instructs cells to produce various proteins which are important for structure and function of the organisms. This genetic code is passed from adult organisms to their offspring during reproduction. Humans inherit about one half of their DNA from each of their parents.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
Ribonucleic acid is a molecule that is physically different from DNA though their subunits are structurally similar. It is responsible for translating information from DNA to site of protein synthesis and regulating the rate of production. RNA is also the genetic material of some viruses, such as rubella virus and Zika virus.