ABSTRACT
Most somatic cells have a basic structure. They have a cell membrane containing cytoplasm, organelles, and a nucleus. In forensic molecular biology, this chapter examines human body fluids and tissues that contain eukaryotic animal cells, but there are also areas of forensic science that concentrate on plants. Eukaryotic cells contain a rich network of organelles, all of which serve complex and vital purposes in cell function. Eukaryotic chromosomes are found in the nucleus of the cell, and all 46 chromosomes are present in all cells of the body except for the reproductive cells, which contain only 23 chromosomes. Chromatin can be found in two forms: euchromatin and heterochromatin. Transcription and translation are the steps that transform DNA to RNA, and RNA to protein. This process demonstrates how the DNA sequence is used as a blueprint for making all the things the body needs to function properly.
