Calculator
What are the differences between chromatin and chromosome?
Posted October 21, 2020
Answer
Chromatin is a lower order of DNA organization. The DNA double helix in the nucleus is packaged by special proteins called histones to form chromatin. Chromosomes are the higher order of DNA organization. They are formed by condensation of chromatin fibers. These are the key differences between chromatin and chromosomes:
| Basis for comparison | Chromatin | Chromosome |
| Structure | Composed of histones and nucleosomes, which are a complex of DNA | Composed of condensed chromatin fibers |
| Presence | Present throughout the cell cycle | Clearly visible as condensed structures during cell division |
| Metabolic activity | Allows DNA replication and RNA synthesis | Does not allow these processes – Main purpose is distribution of genetic information |
| Pairing | Unpaired | Paired |
| Appearance | Appears as long, thin, uncoiled structures inside the nucleus | Appears as thick, compact, ribbon-like coiled structures prominently visible during cell division |
| Nucleoprotein | Forms the under-condensed part of nucleoprotein | Forms the condensed part of nucleoprotein |
| Visualization | Visualized through Electron microscope | Visualized through Light microscope |
| Conformation | May have open or compact conformations that are dynamically controlled during cell-cycle stages | Predominantly compact or heterochromatic state with fixed position in the nucleus |
Additional resources
The Cell: A Molecular Approach- Chromosomes and Chromatin
Cell Meter™ Nuclear Apoptosis Assay Kit *Green Fluorescence Optimized for Flow Cytometry*