DNA is packaged into structures called what?

Prepare for the PLTW Biomedical Science Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

DNA is packaged into structures called what?

Explanation:
DNA must be packaged into compact structures to fit inside the nucleus and to be reliably separated during cell division. In eukaryotic cells, DNA wraps around histone proteins to form nucleosomes, then folds into higher-order structures called chromatin, which condense further into visible chromosomes when a cell divides. So the structures DNA is packaged into are chromosomes. Other options describe different cellular components: ribosomes are the protein-synthesis machines; centromeres are specific regions on chromosomes where sister chromatids meet and spindle fibers attach; mitochondria are organelles that contain their own DNA but are not the packaged form of the genome.

DNA must be packaged into compact structures to fit inside the nucleus and to be reliably separated during cell division. In eukaryotic cells, DNA wraps around histone proteins to form nucleosomes, then folds into higher-order structures called chromatin, which condense further into visible chromosomes when a cell divides. So the structures DNA is packaged into are chromosomes. Other options describe different cellular components: ribosomes are the protein-synthesis machines; centromeres are specific regions on chromosomes where sister chromatids meet and spindle fibers attach; mitochondria are organelles that contain their own DNA but are not the packaged form of the genome.

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