Question

What is the difference between a sister chromatid and a non-sister chromatid?

Answer 1

1. Chromatin is a compound found inside chromosomes that are made up of DNA and protein.
2. The DNA holds the genetic instructions for the cell.
3. Histones are the main proteins in chromatin, and they help bundle the DNA into a compact shape that fits in the cell nucleus.

Complete answer:
Chromatids are two fiber strands joined together by a single centromere that result from chromosome replication during the early stages of cell division. “Chromatids” are terminology used in the meiosis or mitosis processes. There are two types of chromatids: sister chromatids and non-sister chromatids.
A chromatid's sister chromatids are two close clones of the same chromatid. They are exact replicas of the parent chromatid, as the term "identical" implies. Sister chromatids have identical genes and alleles.
Non-sister chromatids are referred to as homologous. They are chromosome pairs that have the same length, staining pattern, centromere location, and gene characteristics at specific loci. During meiotic cellular division, non-sister chromatids are formed.
Sister chromatids are identical chromosomes. Chromosomes are found in paired conditions in diploid eukaryotic cells. A pair of identical chromosomes is referred to as homologous. During the synthesis process of interphase, each chromosome duplicates the DNA. When cells enter the divisional process, the chromosomes dehydrate and curl, causing them to shorten. As a result, during prophase, each duplicated chromosome tends to be made up of two sister chromatids (first phase of division). Non-sister chromatids are chromosomes that do not have a homologous member.

Note:

1. Chromatin is formed by the packaging of DNA by special proteins such as histones. Chromosomes are formed as the chromatin condenses further.
2. This suggests that chromatin is the lower level of DNA structure, while chromosomes are the higher-order.
3. A nucleosome is the smallest repeating unit of chromatin, consisting of eight histone proteins and two coiled DNA loops.