Nucleus of Human Cell
The human body contains as many as 100 trillion cells. Each cell in the body serves an important purpose, from protecting our internal organs to taking oxygen throughout the body, even enabling the creation of human life during the process of reproduction.
Even with the incredible diversity of cells and their different functions, each cell (with the exception of red blood cells) shares a single important trait: a nucleus. The nucleus houses genetic information that is identical from cell to cell, bundled into molecules called deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA.
DNA from the Human Cell
Since all cells contain the same genetic information, potential sources for DNA collection are extensive; small tissue samples, hair roots, cheek cells and saliva are just a few examples of good sources for DNA. With advanced forensic techniques, DNA can be extracted from almost anything that comes in contact with a human: cups, straws, toothbrushes, clothes, gum, cigarettes, and licked envelopes are just a few examples.
