What are the differences between histones and nucleosomes?

Basis of differentiation

Histones

Nucleosomes

Definition

Histones are the proteins which provide structural support for a chromosome 

Nucleosomes are the basic units of DNA packaging

Composition

Small, positively charged proteins 

Structural units consisting of histone proteins around which DNA is wrapped

Structure

Individual proteins found in the nucleus

Complexes composed of eight histone proteins (two each of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) wrapped with DNA

Linkage

Not directly linked to each other; present as individual proteins

Connected to each other by linker histones (H1/H5), forming a chain of nucleosomes