Describe how DNA is organized such that 46 chromosomes with approximately 3 billion bases are able to fit in the limited space of the nucleus of a cell. In addition, how does transcriptionally active DNA differ from DNA that is not being transcribed?
Answer-
DNA in the cells normally remains packaged in the form of chrmosomes.
Inside these chrmosomes the DNA molecule remains wrapped around histone proteins with the help of some non-histone proteins and this packaging of DNA leads to its condensation, as a result of which it occupies considerably less space.
The region of DNA which undergo more tight packaging, doen't remains availabe for the process of trnascription because transcription requires open segment of DNA. This transcritionally unavailable form of DNA is known as heterochromatic region.
While the DNA segment which remains loosely packaged and remains transcriptionally active is called as euchromatic region.
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