A Level Biology Practice Exam

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What is chromatin?

Condensed form of DNA
Uncondensed DNA complexed with histones
A type of RNA
A form of protein synthesis

The correct answer is: Uncondensed DNA complexed with histones

Chromatin refers to the complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. In its natural state, chromatin is primarily in an uncondensed form, allowing for DNA to be accessible for processes such as transcription and replication. The protein components, primarily histones, help to package the long strands of DNA into a more compact structure. The uncondensed state of DNA complexed with histones is essential for regulating gene expression and DNA replication, making it critical for cellular function. When the cell is not dividing, chromatin is in this relaxed form, which facilitates the necessary interactions for gene activity. Understanding the structure of chromatin is crucial to grasp how genes are regulated and how DNA is organized within the nucleus. This relationship between DNA and histones underscores the importance of chromatin in genetic expression, while the description of chromatin as a condensed form of DNA does not accurately capture its natural state in non-dividing cells.