Explanation

In bacteria, DNA is highly charged molecule. The adjacent bases are linked by phosphate groups, each with an ionized hydroxyl group. It results in negative charges which are therefore balanced by an equivalent number of cationic groups. These charges are balanced by histones which are basic proteins in case of eukaryotes. Histones are absent in bacterial cells. In bacteria the charges are neutralised by polyamines such as spermine and spermidine and by [image:6_image64.wmf] ions.