Differences Between Chromosomes and Chromatids

Chromosomes are genetic material present in the cell nucleus. Chromatids are the parts of the chromosome present as two arms.       Differences Between Chromosomes and Chromatids

Differences Between Chromosomes and Chromatids

Sl. NoCharacteristicsChromosomesChromatids
1BasicThey are nuclear components and play a vital role in the heredity, mutation, variation, and evolutionary development of the speciesThese are components of chromosomes. During mitosis, the chromosomes have two asymmetrical structures called chromatids
2OccurrenceThe chromosome occurs throughout the cell’s life cycle.Chromatids are seen or observed during cell division by either mitosis or meiosis
3ReplicationThe chromosomes are
capable of self-replication.
The chromatids do not self replicate on their own.
4Amount of DNAThe chromosomes are tightly packed with DNA. The DNA is found in the chromosome
throughout its structure.
The chromatids help in the unwinding of DNA during the replication process.
5Exact copied of each otherThe chromosome lacks this.
Homologous chromosomes may have different forms of a trait with one copy of a gene from the parent.
The chromatids have the same copies of each other.
6CentromereChromosomes have
centromere in their structure.
They usually do not have a centromere in their structure. But the sister chromatids posses centromere.
7FunctionThe chromosomes are the genetic material of the cell. It helps in the heredity and
evolution of species .
The chromatid, on the other hand, helps the cell to duplicate and pass on in the next generation.
8Macromolecule
Synthesis
The DNA of the chromosome in this synthesis of macromolecule is not usedThe DNA of the chromatids are used up during this process of synthesis.
9DNA Moleculethe chromosomes have a linear set of gene or DNA in its strands.Each chromatid bears a single DNA molecule.
10CoilingThe chromosomes are
extensively coiled with a protein called chromatin.
The chromatids are less coiled in comparison with
chromosomes.
11InterdependenceThe chromosomes are independent nuclear material.The chromatids are the units of chromosomes. They are dependent on chromosomes.

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