What is the relationship between DNA, a chromosome, and chromatin?

The term DNA, chromosome, and chromatin are three terms which have very distinct meanings in biology.

DNAstands for deoxyribonucleic acid and refers to a biopolymer structure composed of four different nucleotide or base constituents which include adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine. These bases are linked together via a phosphate backbone. Within the nucleus, Naked DNA exists as a double helical structure held together by a collection of forces. Hydrogen bonding between adenine and thymine...

The term DNA, chromosome, and chromatin are three terms which have very distinct meanings in biology.

DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid and refers to a biopolymer structure composed of four different nucleotide or base constituents which include adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine. These bases are linked together via a phosphate backbone. Within the nucleus, Naked DNA exists as a double helical structure held together by a collection of forces. Hydrogen bonding between adenine and thymine as well as guanine and cytosine bases from adjacent strands are one of the primary ways in which the double helix is formed. Genes which code for specific proteins are contained within the sequence of nucleotides which arise within each strand of DNA. These gene sequences contain hereditary information.

Chromosomes are relatively large thread-like structures within the nucleus which tightly package double stranded naked DNA via a complex collection of proteins called histones. These histones allow DNA to be organized into protein-DNA bundles called nucleosomes which in turn can form solenoid fiber-like collections of nucleosomes called chromatin. Please refer to the attached resource to better visualize this organizational structure.

What is the relationship between DNA, a chromosome, and chromatin?

The nature of the relationship which exists between DNA, a chromosome, and chromatin involves how the heredity information in the form of naked DNA is tightly packed into protein-DNA nucleosomes which create solenoid fiber-like chromatin structures that ultimately form chromosomes.