Skip to main content
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Español
  • Site Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • BioInteractive Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

How DNA Is Packaged

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Macromolecules
  • DNA & RNA

Resource Type

  • Videos
  • Animations

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege

Duration

00:01:44
Saved By
21 Users
Share This

Description

This animation shows how DNA molecules are packed up into chromosomes.

DNA is tightly packed up to fit in the nucleus of every cell. As shown in the animation, a DNA molecule wraps around histone proteins to form tight loops called nucleosomes. These nucleosomes coil and stack together to form fibers called chromatin. Chromatin, in turn, loops and folds with the help of additional proteins to form chromosomes. Condensing DNA into chromosomes prevents DNA tangling and damage during cell division.

Depending on students’ background, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to discuss different structures.

Key Terms

chromatin, chromosome, DNA packaging, histone, nucleic acid, nucleosome, protein

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

Video files partially meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 02.05.03

Materials

Large (M4V) 69 MB
Large (WMV) 54 MB
Small (M4V) 15 MB
Small (WMV) 15 MB
Transcript (PDF) 12 KB

Explore Related Content

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Computer image of translation showing ribosomal sites
Animations
Translation (Advanced Detail)
Computer image of a protein being produced
Animations
Translation (Basic Detail)
Computer illustration of p53 molecule
Click & Learn
The p53 Gene and Cancer
Screenshot displaying a section of paper DNA double helix
Labs & Demos
Modeling the Structure of DNA
Image from the video showing how ACGT make up triplet codes
Animations
Triplet Code
Computer image of different types of RNA
Click & Learn
RNA Diversity
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
Structure and Function of Telomeres
Computer image of DNA unwound
Animations
Paired DNA Strands
Schematic image of DNA replicating from the video
Animations
DNA Replication (Schematic)
screenshot from the DNA replication animation showing helicase unwinding the double helix and the replication complex
Animations
DNA Replication (Basic Detail)
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility