Human Biochemistry, Volume 2 - Murray R. 1993

Structure, Function, and Replication of Informational Macromolecules
DNA Organization and Replication
Chromatin

Chromatin is the chromosomal material extracted from the nuclei of Eukaryotic Cells1). It is composed of very long double-stranded DNA molecules, small basic Proteins known as Histones—whose total mass is roughly equal to that of the DNA—acidic proteins with a molecular weight greater than that of histones, and a small amount of RNA. Electron Cell/15.html">Microscopy of chromatin has revealed the presence of spherical particles (nucleosomes) approximately 10 nm in size, interconnected by DNA strands (Fig. 38.1).

1 Although Chapters 38–41 focus on mammalian cells (which belong to higher eukaryotes), in some cases it has been necessary to draw upon data obtained from the analysis of prokaryotes.



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