The trunk of each 'Christmas tree' (a transcription unit) represents a DNA molecule; the tree branches (granular strings attached to the DNA) are RNA molecules that have been transcribed from the DNA.

Processes such as transcription and replication ... the DNA becomes highly compacted into the classic metaphase chromosomes that can be seen with a light microscope. Once a cell has divided ...

During replication, DNA polymerases are positioned on each strand of DNA. Using a microscope slide as an anchor, we tethered DNA to a bead and stretched it with a flow of solution. We tracked how the ...