Chapter 11.1: Chromosomal DNA and Proteins

Question 1

What is chromatin?

Answer 1

o Chromatin is the generic term for an complex of DNA and protein found in a cell’s nucleus

Question 2

What does a chromosome contain?

Answer 2

chromatin, histone proteins and nonhistone proteins

Question 3

What are histones?

Answer 3

 Histones are relatively small proteins with a preponderance of the basic, positively charged amino acids lysine and arginine

Question 4

What are relatively small proteins with a preponderance of the basic, positively charged amino acids lysine and arginine?

Answer 4

histones

Question 5

What is the function of histones?

Answer 5

 Strong positive charge allows them to bind to and neutralize the negatively charged DNA throughout the chromatin

Question 6

What makes up histones?

Answer 6

 5 Types of molecules: H1, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4

Question 7

What are core histones?

Answer 7

• H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 form the core of the most rudimentary DNA packaging unit—the nucleosome—and are therefore referred to as core histones