Question

The prokaryotic genetic system contains-

• A. Either DNA or Histones
• B. Neither DNA nor Histones
• C. DNA but not histones
• D. DNA and Histones

Hint:

Prokaryotes have circular DNA in the nucleoid region without histone proteins, unlike eukaryotes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Recall the genome of prokaryotes.
Prokaryotes (bacteria) contain a single circular DNA molecule in the nucleoid region, which serves as their genetic material.
Step 2: Presence or absence of histones.
Histones are absent in prokaryotes. They are characteristic of eukaryotic chromatin packaging, where DNA is wound around histone proteins.
Step 3: Checking options.
- Option (1): Wrong, because DNA is always present but histones are not.
- Option (2): Wrong, because DNA is always present.
- Option (3): Correct, DNA is present but histones are absent in prokaryotes.
- Option (4): Wrong, histones are only in eukaryotes.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, prokaryotic genetic system contains DNA but not histones.