Final answer:
In eukaryotic cells, chromosomes are made up of DNA wrapped around histone proteins, forming structures known as nucleosomes, which are integral to the dense packing of DNA within the nucleus.
Step-by-step explanation:
In eukaryotes, chromosomes are tightly coiled due to the association of histone proteins and DNA.
These structures are known as nucleosomes.
Histones are evolutionarily conserved proteins that form an octamer around which DNA is wrapped.
This configuration of DNA wrapped around histone proteins, linked by a short strand of linker DNA, is referred to as the "beads on a string" structure.
During the metaphase stage of cell division, these nucleosomes are further compacted with the assistance of scaffold proteins to form highly condensed chromosomes.