Question

Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given :
The net electric charge on DNA and histones is

• A. Both positive
• B. Both negative
• C. Negative and positive, respectively
• D. Zero

Answer 1

The correct option is C Negative and positive, respectively

DNA is much more organized in eukaryotic chromatin and is associated with a variety of proteins most prominent of which are histones. Histones are rich in the basic amino acid residues lysines and arginines. Both the amino acid residues carry positive charges in their side chains. Histones are organized to form a unit of eight molecules called as histone octamer. The negatively charged DNA is wrapped around the positively charged histone octamer to form a structure called nucleosome.

So, the correct answer is 'Negative and positive, respectively'.