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NEET 2026, Biology Q20: Chromosomes and Genes

NEET2026Biology
Q.

Which of the following statements are correct with reference to packaging of DNA helix ?

A. Histones are organized to form a unit of eight molecules called histone octamer.

B. Histones are negatively charged basic proteins.

C. Histones are rich in the basic amino acid residues - lysine and arginine.

D. The positively charged DNA is wrapped around the histone octamer to form nucleosome.

E. The packaging of chromatin at higher levels requires an additional set of proteins called non-histone chromosomal proteins.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

  1. A

    A, C and E only

  2. B

    B, D and E only

  3. C

    C, D and E only

  4. D

    A, B and D only

Solution

Eight histone molecules combine to form the histone octamer. Histones are positively charged basic proteins enriched in lysine and arginine residues. The negatively charged DNA wraps around the octamer to form a nucleosome. Higher-order chromatin packaging additionally needs non-histone chromosomal (NHC) proteins.

Hence statements B and D are incorrect; the correct set is A, C and E.

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