Skip to main content
Biology LibreTexts

8.2: Introduction to Chromosomes and DNA Packaging

  • Page ID
    44407
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    What you’ll learn to do: Understand chromosome structure and organization in eukaryotic cells

    When a cell divides, it is essential that the new cell (also known as the daughter cell) contains the same genetic information as the old cell (also known as the parent cell). This genetic information is our DNA, which is packaged into chromosomes. Each chromosome contains information about specific traits of an organism. These chromosomes can be sorted into two categories: autosomes and sex chromosomes. In this section will discuss these two types of chromosomes and the differences between the two as well as how cells package DNA. Watch the video below for an overview of chromosomes.

    Thumbnail for the embedded element "What are Chromosomes?"

    A YouTube element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here: pb.libretexts.org/bionm1/?p=270

    Contributors and Attributions

    CC licensed content, Original
    • Introduction to Chromosomes and DNA Packaging. Authored by: Shelli Carter and Lumen Learning. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
    All rights reserved content
    • What are Chromosomes?. Authored by: Bozeman Science. Located at: https://youtu.be/tsVHWbXqum8. License: All Rights Reserved. License Terms: Standard YouTube License

    8.2: Introduction to Chromosomes and DNA Packaging is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

    • Was this article helpful?