Question

Indicate whether each of the following descriptions better matches the major histones (M) or the histone variants (V). Your answer would be a six-letter string composed of letters M and V only, e.g. VVMVMV.

( ) They are more highly conserved over long evolutionary time scales.
( ) They are present in much smaller amounts in the cell.
( ) They are synthesized primarily during the S phase of the cell cycle.
( ) Their incorporation often requires histone exchange.
( ) They are often inserted into already-formed chromatin.
( ) They are assembled into nucleosomes just behind the replication fork.

Answer 1

The major histones are more highly conserved, present in smaller amounts, and synthesized in the S phase. Histone variants are inserted into already-formed chromatin, assembled at the replication fork, and require histone exchange.

Step-by-step explanation:

The major histones (M) are more highly conserved over long evolutionary time scales, present in much smaller amounts in the cell, and synthesized primarily during the S phase of the cell cycle. On the other hand, the histone variants (V) are often inserted into already-formed chromatin, assembled into nucleosomes just behind the replication fork, and their incorporation often requires histone exchange.