Chromatin

Chromatin is a complex of DNA and proteins within the nucleus of a cell, which has a major role in regulating gene expression and cell division. Chromatin is made up of two components – DNA and histone proteins. DNA wraps around histone proteins to form chromatin, which divides the cell’s DNA into discrete units and makes it more compact. This chromatin structure is critical for regulating gene expression, so that only genes that are needed are expressed. Chromatin also controls the cell-division process, which is how the organism grows and develops. Chromatin therefore plays an essential role in all organisms, from the single-celled prokaryotes to advanced eukaryotes like humans.