In eukaryotic cells, the DNA is stored within the nucleus. The nucleus is a membrane-bound compartment within the cell that houses the majority of the cell’s DNA. The DNA molecules in the nucleus are organized into structures called chromosomes. Chromosomes contain long strands of DNA that are tightly coiled and packaged with proteins called histones to form a compact structure.
It’s important to note that not all DNA in a eukaryotic cell is contained within the nucleus. Within the mitochondria, small organelles found in eukaryotic cells responsible for energy production, there is also a small amount of DNA. This mitochondrial DNA is separate from the nuclear DNA and carries genetic information necessary for mitochondrial function.
In prokaryotic cells, which lack a true nucleus, the DNA is not stored within a nucleus. Instead, the DNA is located in the cytoplasm of the cell, where it forms a single circular chromosome.
