One goal of packaging the DNA into chromatin is to compact the genome so it will

Question

One goal of packaging the DNA into chromatin is to compact the genome so it will fit into a nucleus. The basic unit of chromatin structure is the __16__, which has __17__ base pairs of DNA wrapped around a “core particle” composed of __18__ copies each of the core histones. Each nucleosome is separated by a stretch of “linker” DNA so that the repeating unit is approximately 200 bp. Lets do a little arithmetic: If we consider that the nucleosome is approximately __19__ nm in diameter, that there is about 200 bp in this structure, and that 200 bp of DNA would normally occupy __20__ nm if stretched out

Explanation / Answer

Ans. One goal of packaging the DNA into chromatin is to compact the genome so it will fit into a nucleus. The basic unit of chromatin structure is the 16. Nucleosome, which has 17. 168 base pairs of DNA wrapped around a “core particle” composed of 18. two copies each of the core histones. Each nucleosome is separated by a stretch of “linker” DNA so that the repeating unit is approximately 200 bp. Lets do a little arithmetic: If we consider that the nucleosome is approximately 19. 10 nm in diameter, that there is about 200 bp in this structure, and that 200 bp of DNA would normally occupy 20. 31.42 nm if stretched out.

Calculation: Diameter = 10 nm

Circumference (the total length when the circle is converted into linear form by opening it at any one point) = 2 (pi) r

            Where, pi = 3.14159            , r = radium = (diameter/ 2) = (10 nm/ 2) = 5 nm

So, circumference = 2 x 3.14159 x 5 nm = 31.42 nm

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