The key difference between chromatin and chromosomes is that chromatin is untangled and unfolded DNA that exists as a complex of DNA and histone proteins while chromosomes contain the highest condensed structure of the DNA double helix for the proper separation of the genetic material between daughter cells.
Chromatin and chromosome are two categories of structures of the double helix of DNA that are present in different stages of the cell. It is essential to pack the whole DNA that stores genetic information of the cell into the eukaryotic nucleus for existence. Hence, chromatin is the usual form of packaged DNA within the cell. On the other hand, chromosomes are the most important structures in the cell during cell division, and they contain the genetic material in the form of DNA. This is because they are responsible for the transmission of hereditary information from one generation to the next. There are two types of chromosomes as autosomes and sex chromosomes. Sex chromosomes are important in sex determination while autosomes determine the other characteristics. Generally, chromosomes appear during metaphase of cellular division.
