* The amount of DNA varies by cell type: Some cells, like eggs and sperm, only have one set of chromosomes. Most cells have two sets. Muscle cells, with their many mitochondria, have more DNA than, say, a nerve cell.
* We're talking about tiny amounts: We measure DNA in picograms (pg). A picogram is one trillionth of a gram!
* We can calculate an average: If we take the average human cell, it contains about 6 picograms of DNA.
To get an overall idea, consider:
* Human genome size: The human genome contains roughly 3 billion base pairs of DNA.
* Base pairs and weight: Each base pair weighs approximately 650 daltons.
* Total DNA weight: If we do the math, the total weight of DNA in a human cell is about 6 pg.
So, the answer to your question is: A human cell contains about 6 picograms of DNA, but that amount can vary depending on the cell type.
