Molecular composition of a bacterial cell

Note: bacteria are the smallest and "simplest" cells. Their composition is perhaps a better gauge of the indispensable chemical makeup of "the cell" than might be a specialized human cell.

Component % of total weight Approx. # of molecules/cell # of different kinds

Water 70% 40,000,000,000 1

DNA 1% 1-4 1

RNA 6% 500,000 3000

Proteins 15% 1,000,000 3000

Nucleotides & precursors 0.4% 12,000,000 200

Amino acids & precursors 0.4% 30,000,000 50

Carbohydrates (polysaccharides & precursors) 3% 250,000,000 200

Lipids 2% 25,000,000 50

Ions 1% 250,000,000 20

Waste products & intermediates 0.2% 15,000,000 200

Component	% of total weight	Approx. # of molecules/cell	# of different kinds
Water	70%	40,000,000,000	1
DNA	1%	1-4	1
RNA	6%	500,000	3000
Proteins	15%	1,000,000	3000
Nucleotides & precursors	0.4%	12,000,000	200
Amino acids & precursors	0.4%	30,000,000	50
Carbohydrates (polysaccharides & precursors)	3%	250,000,000	200
Lipids	2%	25,000,000	50
Ions	1%	250,000,000	20
Waste products & intermediates	0.2%	15,000,000	200