Question

Select the INCORRECT statement.

• A. Functional segments of DNA are called genes.
• B. The chromatin material gets organised into rod-shaped chromosomes only when the cell is about to divide.
• C. Chromosomes are composed of DNA and carbohydrates.
• D. DNA molecules contain the information necessary for constructing and organising cells.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Chromosomes are composed of DNA and carbohydrates.

Chromosomes: Composition and Function

• Chromosomes are thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

• They are primarily composed of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and proteins, specifically histones.

• DNA carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses.

• Histone proteins help in packaging the long DNA molecule into a more compact and efficient structure.

• The statement that chromosomes are composed of DNA and carbohydrates is incorrect. While carbohydrates are essential biomolecules, they are not a primary structural component of chromosomes.

• Chromosomes play a crucial role in cell division (mitosis and meiosis), ensuring that genetic material is accurately passed from one generation of cells to the next.

• The number of chromosomes is specific to each species. For example, humans typically have 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs.