DNA is primarily located in the cell nucleus, which is often referred to as the control center of the cell. In eukaryotic cells, the nucleus houses the majority of the cell’s genetic material organized into structures called chromosomes.
Additionally, small amounts of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles within the cell. This mitochondrial DNA is inherited maternally and is distinct from the nuclear DNA, playing a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism.
In prokaryotic cells, which do not have a defined nucleus, DNA is found in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid. In this case, the DNA is usually circular and not associated with histones, unlike eukaryotic DNA.