What do we call the proteins associated with DNA?

Proteins associated with DNA are primarily known as histones. Histones are a family of proteins that play a critical role in the organization of DNA within the cell nucleus. They help package DNA into a compact, dense shape, allowing it to fit within the cell. This process of DNA wrapping around histones forms structures called nucleosomes, which are fundamental units of chromatin. The proper functioning of genes, the regulation of gene expression, and the overall structure of the genome are significantly influenced by these proteins.

Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA but are not proteins. Chromatids refer to the duplicated forms of chromosomes that are linked together prior to cell division. Chromosomes, on the other hand, are the complete structures that carry DNA, composed of both the DNA itself and associated proteins, including histones; however, when specifically referencing the proteins that organize and help package DNA, histones are the correct term.