DNA packaging: chromosomes

chromosome

packaged form of DNA molecules

condensed chromatin network

double structure made up by 2 identical sister chromatids held by the centromere

chromatin

DNA wound around protein

histones

proteins

chromatid

structure resulting from DNA replication, produced during interphases by semi-conservative replication…each chromatid contains 1 DNA molecule

centromere

point where the 2 chromatids are joined and can separate

gene

section of DNA that codes for a particular protein

locus

location of gene along a DNA molecule

telomere

protective sequences of nucleotides at the ends of chromosomes which shorten every time a cell divides

homologous pair

2 chromosomes similar in structure and composition…same gene sequence but different alleles

diploid cells

cells with 2 sets of chromosomes

haploid cells

cells with one set of chromosomes

cell cycle

during the mitotic cycle, the cells remain diploid and only the number of DNA molecules change