Chromatin Structure and Composition — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2020You may recall that the interphase nucleus has a loose and indistinct network of nucleoprotein fibres called chromatin. But during different stages of cell division, cells show structured chromosomes in place of the nucleus. Chromatin contains DNA and some basic proteins called histones, some non-histone proteins and also RNA. A single human cell has approximately two metre long thread of DNA distributed among its forty six (twenty three pairs) chromosomes. You will study the details of DNA packaging in the form of a chromosome in class XII.
NTA tests students on the composition of chromatin and how it relates to chromosomes during cell division. Chromatin contains DNA packaged with histone proteins (basic proteins), along with non-histone proteins and RNA. A common mistake is forgetting that chromatin is the loose, interphase form while chromosomes are the condensed, structured form visible during cell division. Students often confuse the role of histones or don't remember that DNA is the main genetic material within chromatin. To get it right: remember chromatin = DNA + histones + other proteins + RNA in loose form; chromosomes = highly condensed chromatin during division. The DNA length (~2 meters in humans) packed into 46 chromosomes highlights the importance of protein packaging.
Match List I with List II: List I A. F1 particles B. Histones C. Axoneme D. Cisternae List II I. Chromosomes II. Cilia III. Golgi apparatus IV. Mitochondria NEET 2020
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