DNA is primarily found in which part of the cell?

DNA is primarily found in chromosomes, which are structures located in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Chromosomes are composed of DNA tightly coiled around proteins, which help package the DNA and control its function. This cellular location is critical because the nucleus serves as the control center of the cell, containing the genetic material necessary for cell division, growth, and function.

While some DNA is present in the mitochondria, particularly in eukaryotic cells, the most significant amount is stored in chromosomes within the nucleus. This distinction reinforces the importance of the nuclear environment for processes such as replication and transcription, which are vital for cellular metabolism and inheritance.

The other options represent cellular components that do not primarily contain DNA. The cytoplasm is the site of many metabolic processes but does not house DNA. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis and do not contain DNA, while the cell membrane functions to protect the cell and regulate the entry and exit of substances, without any DNA content.