DNA vs. Chromosome: What's the Difference?
Read the comparison below, or explore it visually. Create a visual lesson comparing dna and chromosome using available credits or plan allowance.
They're deeply related — a chromosome is essentially DNA, just packaged. DNA is the molecule itself: the famous double helix that stores genetic instructions as a sequence of chemical 'letters'. A chromosome is a single, very long DNA molecule wound tightly around proteins so it fits inside a cell. So DNA is the material; a chromosome is how that material is bundled up. Humans have 46 chromosomes, each one a tightly-coiled DNA molecule.
At a glance
| DNA | Chromosome | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The genetic molecule (double helix) | DNA packaged with proteins |
| Form | A long thread of code | A coiled, compact bundle |
| Scale | The raw material | The organized structure |
| Contains | The sequence of genetic 'letters' | One long DNA molecule + proteins |
| In humans | ~3 billion base pairs | 46 chromosomes |
Which should you use?
Talk about DNA when you mean the molecule and its code — the sequence of bases carrying instructions.
Talk about a chromosome when you mean the packaged structure — the coiled-up bundle that organizes DNA inside the cell.