Question
Biology Question on the molecular basis of inheritance
Genes are packaged into a bacterial chromosome by
A
acidic protein
B
actin
C
histones
D
basic protein.
Answer
basic protein.
Explanation
Solution
In bacteria, DNA is highly charged molecule. The adjacent bases are linked by phosphate groups, each with an ionized hydroxyl group. It results in negative charges which are therefore balanced by an equivalent number of cationic groups. These charges are balanced by histones which are basic proteins in case of eukaryotes. Histones are absent in bacterial cells. In bacteria the charges are neutralized by polyamines such as spermine and spermidine and by Mg2+ ions.