Chromatin Organization | DNA packaging in Eukaryotes | Biology Lecture 21

Chromatin is the complex combination of DNA and proteins that makes up chromosomes. It is found inside the nuclei of eukaryotic cells. Chromatin is divided into heterochromatin (condensed) and euchromatin (extended) forms. Under the microscope in its extended form, chromatin looks like beads on a string. The function of chromatin is to efficiently package DNA into a small volume to fit into the nucleus of a cell and protect the DNA structure and sequence. Packaging DNA into chromatin prevents chromosome breakage and controls gene expression and DNA replication.