Chromatin is a complex formed by Nucleic acid and protein and generally found in eukaryotic cells. Chromatin is composed of Nucleosomes. Chromosomes are a complex that came into existence through packaged proteins and DNA. Chromosomes are constituted of condensed chromatin fiber.
Chromatin vs Chromosome
The main difference between Chromatin and chromosome is Chromatin is a complex carrying DNA and protein, and usually, it is found in condensed form, whereas Chromosomes are a complex consisting of DNA and packaged proteins but in a more condensed form than that of Chromatin.
Chromatin mainly originated from DNA, RNA, and proteins called Histones. Histones have a bead-like structure over a string when viewed through a microscope. We can say Chromatin is the base for the formation of Chromosomes that are found in the nucleus of the eukaryotic cells. Chromatin comes in a highly condensed form.
Chromosomes are made up of packaged proteins and genes (DNA). As we have mentioned above, Chromosomes that are formed out of DNA are tightly coiled around in a string-like structure with a protein called Histones that keeps the structure of chromosomes intact. A human body contains a total number of 23 pairs of Chromosomes.
Comparison Table Between Chromatin and Chromosome
| Parameters of Comparison | Chromatin | Chromosome |
| Definition | Chromatin is a complex made up of DNA, RNA, and proteins in a highly condensed form. | A chromosome is made up of packaged proteins, DNA, And condensed chromatin fibers. |
| Structure | A structure like beads on a string. | Thread-like structure. |
| Function | DNA packaging, DNA Repair, and transcription of genetic information. | Storing genetic information and protecting the information during the process of cell division. |
| Elements | DNA, RNA, and proteins. | DNA, packaged proteins, and Chromatin fibers. |
| Quantity | 46 pairs. | 23 pairs. |
What is Chromatin?
Chromatin is a genetic material present in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell. Protein, DNA, and RNA are the roots in the formation of Chromatin. There are two types of Chromatin mentioned below.
Euchromatin
Euchromatin is a type of Chromatin that is less condensed and can be easily transcribed. Euchromatin makes up 92% part of the human genome. It appears to be a light stain under an optical microscope. It is mentioned that euchromatin has a structure of an unfolded set of beads on a string. As stated above, euchromatin plays an active role in transcribing the genetic information through a process while binding to the DNA sequence and aids in the replication process of DNA.
Heterochromatin
Heterochromatin is a type of Chromatin that is highly condensed thus cannot be useful in the process of transcribing genetic information. Heterochromatin is tightly packed and darkly stained when compared to euchromatin that is equally opposed to this term. We know by the above-mentioned information that euchromatin makes up 92% of the human genome while the remaining consists of heterochromatin.
Coming to the structure of heterochromatin, it is a 30-nm fiber coiled in the form of a helix that measures 30nm in diameter. The fact that it is highly stained and tightly packed makes it appropriate to be seen while observing through an optical microscope. Heterochromatin can also be condensed further into metaphase chromosomes and active chromosomes. Heterochromatin is of two types. The first one is constitutive, while the other one is facultative.
What is Chromosome?
A chromosome is genetic material in a body made up of packaged proteins and DNA. Chromosomes appear in the nucleus of a cell. It is a long DNA molecule that stores the genetic information and further replicates it for the process of cell division. Chromosomes have a thread-like structure that keeps the DNA intact with the proteins called Histones. It helps in the proper arrangement of DNA to fit in the cell.
It is necessary for the DNA to remain intact because when the process of cell division takes place, the information getting replicated through DNA must be exactly copied and equally distributed to the numbers of cells.
If any mistake occurs in this process, that may result in any change in the structure of Chromosomes can lead to severe problems.
A human body contains 23 pairs of Chromosomes, from which 22 pairs of chromosomes are called autosomes, and one pair is of sex chromosomes that are X, and Y. Sex Chromosomes are responsible for the sex of the offspring that gets one of the sex chromosomes from both mother and father.
Main Differences Between Chromatin and Chromosome
- Chromatin contains unpackaged proteins, RNA and DNA, while chromosomes contain packaged proteins and DNA
- Chromatin gets condensed through different phases as compared to chromosomes. Chromosomes are condensed throughout the various stages of mitosis.
- Chromatin is responsible for packaging DNA, while chromosomes are responsible for carrying genetic information.
- Chromatin is a bead-like structure over a string, and Chromosomes are thread-like structures.
- There are 46 chromatins in a G-1 phase. On the other side, there are 23 pairs of chromosomes a human body has.
Conclusion
By far, whatever information we have read about chromatin and Chromosomes signifies that both of these terms are playing an equivalent role in storing, transcribing, and replicating Genetic information in a human body. They both are a part of the cell, and chromosomes themselves come from the highly condensed form of chromatins.
Chromosomes come from chromatid, and chromatid is a highly condensed form of chromosomes; the difference lies in the stages and function it plays in those particular stages.
Chromosomes are responsible for storing hereditary information and carrying it to the other cells in the form of DNA during the process of cell division and keeping the DNA intact with the proteins called Histones.
Chromatins are of two types, as mentioned above, and both play different roles such as transcribing the genetic information and maintaining stability in the structure of chromosomal regions.
Playing different roles and functions and differing on the density level makes both of the terms chromatin and Chromosomes different from each other. Both play crucial roles in storing and replicating hereditary information to other new cells.
References
- http://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/31/21/2136.short