Final answer:
Inactive genes in eukaryotic cells are typically packaged in a condensed form of chromatin called heterochromatin, which makes them less accessible for transcription, as opposed to less dense euchromatin.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inactive genes in eukaryotic cells are generally packaged in a more condensed form of chromatin known as heterochromatin. This form of chromatin is often associated with areas such as the centromeres and telomeres, and it is less accessible to the enzymes needed for transcription. In contrast, euchromatin represents the less dense form of chromatin, where DNA is organized around nucleosomes but not as highly compacted, allowing genes to be actively transcribed. The histones involved in packaging DNA into nucleosomes are pivotal for the structural organization of both euchromatin and heterochromatin. Epigenetics can influence the transition between these forms of chromatin without changing the nucleotide sequence, thereby regulating gene expression.