Histones are

Options

A. set of positively charged, acidic proteins
B. set of negatively charged, acidic proteins
C. set of positively charged, basic proteins
D. set of negatively charged, basic proteins

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Histones:**
- Histones are proteins that play a crucial role in the packaging of DNA in the cell nucleus. They are essential for the formation of nucleosomes, which are the fundamental units of chromatin.

2. **Composition of Histones:**
- Histones are composed of an octamer, which means they consist of eight protein molecules. This octamer is made up of two copies each of four different histone proteins: H2A, H2B, H3, and H4.

3. **Charge Properties:**
- Histones are positively charged proteins. This positive charge is significant because it allows histones to interact with the negatively charged DNA, facilitating the wrapping of DNA around histones to form nucleosomes.

4. **Formation of Nucleosomes:**
- The interaction between the positively charged histones and the negatively charged DNA leads to the formation of nucleosomes. Each nucleosome consists of a segment of DNA wrapped around the histone octamer.

5. **Types of Histones:**
- There are five main types of histones: H1 (linker histone) and the core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4). The linker histone (H1) is involved in the higher-order structure of chromatin, while the core histones form the nucleosome core.

6. **Acidic Nature of DNA:**
- DNA is acidic in nature due to its phosphate backbone. The basic nature of histones helps to neutralize this acidity, allowing for proper packaging and organization of the genetic material.

7. **Conclusion:**
- Based on the information provided, histones can be defined as a set of positively charged basic proteins that are crucial for the structure and function of DNA in eukaryotic cells.

**Final Answer:**
Histones are positively charged basic proteins that form an octameric complex around which DNA is wrapped, creating nucleosomes.

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