Chromosomes are made of a long molecule of DNA tightly wound around special proteins called histones; together this DNA–protein complex is known as chromatin.

Quick Scoop: Core Idea

  • The primary genetic material in chromosomes is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which carries genes in its sequence of nucleotide bases.
  • This DNA is wrapped around histone proteins to form chromatin, allowing the very long DNA strands to fit inside the cell nucleus.

A Bit More Detail

  • Each eukaryotic chromosome usually contains one very long, double-stranded DNA molecule plus many associated proteins, mainly histones.
  • The DNA–histone units (nucleosomes) coil and supercoil further, creating the compact chromosome structure visible during cell division.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.