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AAT Bioquest

What are the similarities between the prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes?

Posted January 11, 2023


Answer

Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes hold and control the genetic material, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The structural organization and the chemical composition of DNA are similar in both types of chromosomes. The genetic material in both chromosomal groups contains coding as well as non-coding sequences. In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes, gene expression is facilitated through transcription and translation of genetic information in chromosomes. In both groups, chromosomal DNA undergoes DNA methylation resulting in the structural regulation of gene expression. The negatively charged DNA in both chromosomal groups interact with various positively charged proteins, which nullifies their charges and helps in the packing of DNA.

Additional resources

Macromolecular Structure of Linearly Arranged Eukaryotic Chromosomes

DNA and RNA Quantitation

Helixyte™ Green Fluorimetric Total Nucleic Acid Quantitation Kit *Optimized for Microplate Readers*