The length of a genome widely varies, but generally is at least a few million base pairs. Storage of the genome within a nucleoid can be contrasted against that within eukaryotes, where the genome is packed into chromatin and sequestered within a membrane-enclosed organelle called the nucleus.
Sometimes even strands of what is thought to be DNA are visible. By staining with the Feulgen stain, which specifically stains DNA, the nucleoid can also be seen under a light microscope. The DNA-intercalating stains DAPI and ethidium bromide are widely used for fluorescence microscopy of nucleoids.
Proteins helping to maintain the supercoiled structure of the nucleic acid are known as nucleoid proteins or nucleoid-associated proteins and are distinct from histones of eukaryotic nuclei. In contrast to histones, the DNA-binding proteins of the nucleoid do not form nucleosomes, in which DNA is wrapped around a protein core. Instead, these proteins often use other mechanisms to promote compaction such as DNA bending or DNA-DNA bridging.
Source: Wikipedia > Nucleoid
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