Question

What are the two major differences between the structure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic chromosomes, and how does this affect DNA replication?

Answer 1

Answer. The prokaryotic chromosomes are not associated with histones thus nucleosomes are absent in them, while they are present in eukaryotes. This, makes replication an easy process in prokaryotes while in eukaryotes nucleosome free region(NER) occurs as the promoter site for transcription.

DNA is circular in prokaryotes with single origin of replication and in eukaryotes it is linear with multiple ori sites. This in prokaryotes, DNA replication can occur at a single point whereas in eukaryotes at multiple points.