chromatin accessibility

Chromatin accessibility refers to how easily certain regions of DNA can be reached and read by the cellular machinery that controls gene activity. Think of DNA wrapped around proteins called histones, forming a structure called chromatin. When chromatin is tightly packed, genes in that region are less active or "hidden." When it’s loosely packed, genes are more accessible and can be turned on. Changes in chromatin accessibility influence which genes are active in a cell, affecting cell function, development, and response to the environment. This dynamic process plays a key role in gene regulation and overall cellular behavior.