What is the main function of chromatin?

Question

The main function or functions.

Answer 1

Mass of genetic material composed of DNA and proteins that condense to form chromosomes during eukaryotic cell division. Chromatin is located in the nucleus of a cell. During prophase of mitosis, chromatin fibers become coiled into chromosomes with each chromosome having two chromatids joined at a centromere. A complex of nucleic acids (e.g. DNA or RNA) and proteins (histones), which condenses to form a chromosome during cell division. In eukaryotic cells, it is found within the cell nucleus whereas in prokaryotic cells, it is found within the nucleoid. Its functions are to package DNA into a smaller volume to fit in the cell, strengthen the DNA to allow mitosis and meiosis, and to serve as a mechanism to control expression.

Chromatin is a complex of DNA and protein found inside the nuclei of eukaryotic cells. The nucleic acids are generally in the form of double-stranded DNA (a double helix). The major proteins involved in chromatin are histone proteins, but other chromosomal proteins are prominent too. DNA is packaged into chromatin thereby constraining the size of the molecule and allowing the cell to control expression of the chromatin-packaged genes. Changes in chromatin structure are affected mainly by methylation (DNA and proteins) and acetylation (proteins). Chromatin structure is also relevant to DNA replication and DNA repair.



Chromatin can be made visible by staining, hence its name, which literally means coloured material.



Levels of DNA condensation.

(1) DNA double-strand helix. (2) Chromatin strand (DNA with histones).

(3) Condensed chromatin during interphase with centromere.

(4) Condensed chromatin during prophase. (Two copies of the DNA molecule are now present)

(5) Chromosome during metaphase.Simplistically, there are three major levels of chromatin organization.

Answer 2

Chromatin is a single chromosome that stores or holds all the genes and it is full of genes

Genes are a segment of DNA that is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic.Genes are full of DNA.

DNA is a stands for, Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid and DNA is the building blocks for life,a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. And it is full of amino acids (proteins).

Amino acids (proteins) are a simple organic compounds containing both a carboxyl (COOH) and an amino (NH2) group. they are called a building blocks for life.



Now you can see that Chromatin stores all of the above.

Answer 3

1. Serves as template for transcription of RNA. (The RNA, in turn, may be translated to polypeptides, or may be a functional RNA such as rRNA or tRNA). The DNA holds the sequencing information.



2. Serves as the medium of inheritance: the information in the DNA is copied and passed on to daughter cells.

Answer 4

Packing long strands of DNA in compact form.