Apart from being responsible for the inheritance of genetic information in all living beings, DNA also plays a crucial role in the production of proteins. Nuclear DNA is the DNA contained within the nucleus of every cell in a eukaryotic organism. It codes for the majority of the organism’s genomes while themitochondrial DNA and plastid DNA handles the rest.

The DNA present in the mitochondria of the cell is termed as mitochondrial DNA. It is inherited from the mother to the child. In humans, there are approximately 16,000 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA. Similarly, plastids have their own DNA and they play an essential role in photosynthesis.

DNA types

There are three different DNA types:

A DNAIt is a right handed double helix similar to the B DNA form. Dehydrated DNA takes an A form that protects the DNA during extreme condition such as desiccation. Protein binding also removes the solvent from DNA and the DNA takes a form.

B DNA This is the most common DNA conformation and is a right-handed helix. Majority of DNA has a B type conformation under normal physiological conditions.

Z DNA is a left-handed DNA where the double helix winds to the left in a zig-zag pattern. It was discovered by Andres Wang and Alexander Rich. It is found ahead of the start site of a gene and hence, is believed to play some role in gene regulation.

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