What is the diffuse form of DNA that exists during interphase of the cell cycle?

What is the diffuse form of DNA that exists during interphase of the cell cycle?

• A. Nucleosome
• B. Chromatin
• C. Chromosome
• D. Genome

Answer: (B)

DNA packaging varies with the cell cycle. During interphase, the DNA is not condensed into visible chromosomes; it exists as chromatin, a less-condensed complex of DNA and histone proteins that allows transcription and replication to occur. The basic packaging unit is the nucleosome, but the diffuse form you’re asking about is chromatin itself. Chromosomes are the highly condensed forms seen during mitosis, and the genome refers to the entire set of genetic material, not a spatial form. So the diffuse form during interphase is chromatin.

DNA packaging varies with the cell cycle. During interphase, the DNA is not condensed into visible chromosomes; it exists as chromatin, a less-condensed complex of DNA and histone proteins that allows transcription and replication to occur. The basic packaging unit is the nucleosome, but the diffuse form you’re asking about is chromatin itself. Chromosomes are the highly condensed forms seen during mitosis, and the genome refers to the entire set of genetic material, not a spatial form. So the diffuse form during interphase is chromatin.