Answer to Question #137546 in Cell Biology for Diane

Question

How is the DNA described and what does this mean? Free floating, meaning it is not contained in a nucleus

Answer 1

Free-floating DNA is a term used to describe Prokaryotic DNA because such cells do not contain a distinct nucleus complete with a nuclear membrane. Such DNA simply exist in a region in the cytoplasm called nucleoid. Nucleoid is not distinct but can be found in any part of the cytoplasm, thus the term 'free-floating'.