A Level Biology Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Master the A Level Biology Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your test. Start your journey to excellence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the function of histones in the cell?

To synthesize proteins
To form a complex with DNA
To transport nutrients
To catalyze biochemical reactions

The correct answer is: To form a complex with DNA

The function of histones in the cell is to form a complex with DNA. Histones are proteins that play a critical role in the packaging of DNA into a compact, organized structure called chromatin. They are positively charged and interact with the negatively charged DNA, facilitating the wrapping of DNA around histone proteins. This interaction allows the long strands of DNA to be condensed and organized, making it possible for DNA to fit within the nucleus of a cell and to regulate gene expression properly. Forming a complex with DNA also enables crucial processes like replication and transcription to occur effectively, as the configuration of DNA and histones can be modified to either expose or hide specific genes. This dynamic regulatory feature of histones is essential for maintaining the integrity of genetic information and for controlling access to that information in response to the developmental state of the cell or environmental signals.