Chromosomes are thread-like or rod-shaped structures present in cellular organisms that consist of DNA information. In the eukaryotic organisms, they are present in the nucleus of the cells, whereas, in the prokaryotic organisms, there is just one ring-shaped chromosome, commonly known as the genopore. Chromosomes have genes that contain the hereditary information of that organism.
One chromosome contains two similar structures that are held together at a point called the centromere. Each of these is referred to as a chromatid. Hence, one chromosome has two chromatids that are connected by a centromere. Chromosomes, therefore, possess an X shape. The study of cell division and chromosomes is referred to as cytogenetics.
Structure of Chromosomes
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Difference Between Chromosome and Chromatid |
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Chromosome |
Chromatid |
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Chromosomes carry DNA, which is the genetic material of that organism. |
Chromatids help the cells to duplicate and in turn, aid in cell division. |
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A chromosome is present throughout the life cycle of the cell. |
A chromatid is formed only when the cell under goes through either mitosis or meiosis stages. |
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Chromosomes are not the exact copies of one another. One copy of the gene comes from each parent to the organism. |
Sister chromatids, on the other hand, are identical copies of one another. |
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Chromosomes contain centromeres. |
It is only the sister chromatids that contain the centromeres. |
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DNA is used during the process of macromolecule synthesis, which is the synthesis of the complex proteins. |
DNA is not used during the synthesis of macromolecules. |
Structure of Chromosomes
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The above structure is a simple diagram of the chromosome. However, the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have a different chromosome structure. But they are similar in many ways. The similarities between the prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes are given below.
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Both the prokaryotic as well as eukaryotic chromosomes have DNA, which is the genetic information.
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The negatively charged DNA which is present in both the types tends to react with the positively charged proteins for neutralizing their charges.
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The genetic material in both the chromosomes contains the coding as well as the non-coding sequences.
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DNA methylation in both chromosomes is responsible for DNA activation.
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Both of these groups have extra-chromosomal genetic materials. The DNA of mitochondria and the chloroplasts in the case of eukaryotes, and plasmids in the prokaryotes.
The Difference Between The Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Chromosome Is As Follows –
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The genetic material in eukaryotes is properly organized in the form of distinct structural bodies, which are known as chromosomes. In the prokaryotic cell, the chromosome formation is not present.
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The eukaryotic cells always have two or more than two chromosomes in a single cell, whereas the prokaryotic cell has just one chromosome in a single cell.
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Every eukaryotic chromosome contains a linear DNA having two ends, whereas a prokaryotic chromosome possesses a circular DNA that is covalently closed.
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The eukaryotic chromosomes are separated from the cytoplasm by the nuclear membrane, whereas the prokaryotic chromosomes do not have a nucleus and are directly in contact with the cytoplasm.
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Basically, the prokaryotic chromosome is a primitive type of chromosome, whereas the eukaryotic chromosome is an advanced type.
Comparison between Chromosomes and Chromatin
Chromosomes can be defined as the thread-like or rod-like structures which are found in the cellular living organisms which contain the genetic material deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. The DNA plays an important part in heredity as the characteristics of each reproducing parent is passed down to the offspring. In eukaryotes, the chromosomes are present in the nucleus whereas in the prokaryotes there is only a ring-shaped chromosome called the genophore. The chromosomes carry the genes which have hereditary information and give the organism its characteristics. A single chromosome has two homogeneous or similar structures that are held together at a certain point called the centromere. The structures are called the chromatids which means one chromosome has 2 chromatids that are connected by the centromere. The chromosome appears like the alphabet X. Cytogenetics is the study of chromosomes as well as cell division.
The chromosomes and chromatids differ from each other and their differences are given as below:
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Chromosomes have the genetic material DNA whereas chromatids help the cells in cell division and their duplication.
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The chromosomes are present throughout the whole cell life cycle but chromatids are formed when the cell has to undergo cell divisions.
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Chromosomes are not the copies of each other but the sister chromatids present in the chromosomes are copies of each other and are identical.
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Chromosomes have centromeres to which the chromatids are attached and the sister chromatids have centromeres only.
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In chromosomes, DNA is used for the synthesis of macromolecules like proteins but it is not used by chromatids.
Conclusion
experts have covered all the major aspects of the difference between Chromosome and Chromatid.