Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Histone proteins tightly associate with the DNA double helix to form the core of a nucleosome. Reason (R): Histones are rich in basic amino acid residues like lysine and arginine, which carry positive charges in their side chains. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate an

Step-by-step solution

Assertion (A) is true because the positively charged histone octamer binds tightly with the negatively charged DNA to form a structure called the nucleosome. Reason (R) is true and correctly explains Assertion (A). Histones acquire their positive charge because they are rich in basic amino acids, lysine and arginine. Both of these amino acid residues carry positive charges in their side chains. This electrostatic attraction between the positively charged histones and the negatively charged DNA is the exact reason t