DNA Packaging 
HSE Zoology blog
Packaging of DNA double 
helix 
 Human genome (in diploid cells) = 6 x 
109 bp 
 6 x 109 bp X 0.34 nm/bp = 2.04 x 109 nm 
= 2 m/cell 
 Diameter of nucleus = 5-10 mm 
HSE Zoology blog
HSE Zoology blog
Arrangement of DNA in a eukaryotic 
chromosomes 
 • In eukaryotes, the DNA is arranged around a 
set of positively charged basic proteins 
 called histones . 
 • Histones are organized to form a unit of eight 
molecules called, histone octamer. 
 • The negatively charged DNA is wrapped 
around the positively charged histone octamer 
to form a structure called nucleosome. 
HSE Zoology blog
DNA in a eukaryotic 
chromosomes 
HSE Zoology blog
HSE Zoology blog
HSE Zoology blog
 A typical nucleosome contains 200 –bp of DNA 
helix. 
 • Nucleosomes constitute the repeating unit of 
structure in nucleus called chromatin. 
 • The nucleosomes in chromatin are seen as 
‘beads on strings’ structure under 
 electron microscope. 
HSE Zoology blog
HSE Zoology blog
NHC Proteins 
 • The packaging of chromatin at higher 
level requires additional set of proteins 
called Non histone chromosomal proteins 
(NHC proteins) 
HSE Zoology blog
DNA in a prokaryotic 
chromosomes 
HSE Zoology blog
 Prokaryotic cells lack a nuclear membrane 
and defined nucleus, even though DNA 
 is not scattered throughout the cell. 
 • DNA, being negatively charged is held 
with some proteins having positive 
charges in a region termed as nucleoid. 
 • The DNA in nucleoid is organized in 
large loops held by proteins. 
HSE Zoology blog
Fig. 9 
HSE Zoology blog
Euchromatin and 
heterochromatin 
Euchromatin 
 In a typical nucleus, some regions of chromatin 
are loosely packed and lightly stained known as 
euchromatin. This region contains active 
chromatin. 
Heterochromatin 
 The chromatin that is more densely packed and 
stains dark are called heterochromatin. This 
region contains inactive chromatin. 
HSE Zoology blog
HSE Zoology blog

Chromosomes and dna packaging

  • 1.
    DNA Packaging HSEZoology blog
  • 2.
    Packaging of DNAdouble helix  Human genome (in diploid cells) = 6 x 109 bp  6 x 109 bp X 0.34 nm/bp = 2.04 x 109 nm = 2 m/cell  Diameter of nucleus = 5-10 mm HSE Zoology blog
  • 3.
  • 4.
    Arrangement of DNAin a eukaryotic chromosomes  • In eukaryotes, the DNA is arranged around a set of positively charged basic proteins  called histones .  • Histones are organized to form a unit of eight molecules called, histone octamer.  • The negatively charged DNA is wrapped around the positively charged histone octamer to form a structure called nucleosome. HSE Zoology blog
  • 5.
    DNA in aeukaryotic chromosomes HSE Zoology blog
  • 6.
  • 7.
  • 8.
     A typicalnucleosome contains 200 –bp of DNA helix.  • Nucleosomes constitute the repeating unit of structure in nucleus called chromatin.  • The nucleosomes in chromatin are seen as ‘beads on strings’ structure under  electron microscope. HSE Zoology blog
  • 9.
  • 10.
    NHC Proteins • The packaging of chromatin at higher level requires additional set of proteins called Non histone chromosomal proteins (NHC proteins) HSE Zoology blog
  • 11.
    DNA in aprokaryotic chromosomes HSE Zoology blog
  • 12.
     Prokaryotic cellslack a nuclear membrane and defined nucleus, even though DNA  is not scattered throughout the cell.  • DNA, being negatively charged is held with some proteins having positive charges in a region termed as nucleoid.  • The DNA in nucleoid is organized in large loops held by proteins. HSE Zoology blog
  • 13.
    Fig. 9 HSEZoology blog
  • 14.
    Euchromatin and heterochromatin Euchromatin  In a typical nucleus, some regions of chromatin are loosely packed and lightly stained known as euchromatin. This region contains active chromatin. Heterochromatin  The chromatin that is more densely packed and stains dark are called heterochromatin. This region contains inactive chromatin. HSE Zoology blog
  • 15.