Chromatin is a compound of DNA and protein found in eukaryotic cells. Its primary purpose is to contain long DNA molecules into more compact, thicker structures, preventing the strands from becoming entangled. It also plays an essential role in strengthening the DNA during cell division, preventing DNA damage, and controlling gene expression DNA replication.
During mitosis and meiosis, chromatin facilitates appropriate separation of the chromosomes that can be seen during this stage and is the outcome of DNA being curled into highly condensed chromatin. The main protein components of chromatin are histones, which bind to DNA and function as anchors around which the strands are wound.
Chromatin endures many structural changes during a cell cycle. RNA synthesis is correlated to histone acetylation: the lysine and amino acid connected to the histones' end if positively charged.