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Humans normally have 46 chromosomes in each cell, divided into 23 pairs. Two copies of chromosome 15, one copy inherited from each parent, form one of the pairs. Chromosome 15 spans approximately 102 million DNA building blocks (nucleotides) and represents more than 3 percent of the total DNA in cells.

Description

Humans normally have 46 chromosomes in each cell, divided into 23 pairs. Two copies of chromosome 15, one copy inherited from each parent, form one of the pairs. Chromosome 15 spans approximately 102 million DNA building blocks (nucleotides) and represents more than 3 percent of the total DNA in cells.

Researchers are continually improving their methods of genome sequencing and working to confirm the number of genes on each chromosome. Chromosome 15 is estimated to contain around 630 genes that provide instructions for making proteins. These proteins perform a variety of different roles in the body.

Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome

Further reading and references

Article history

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
  • 26 Apr 2024 | Latest version
  • 1 Apr 2024 | Originally published

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