A self-replicating structure consisting of @D01597@ complexed with various @P04898@ and involved in the storage and @T06477@ of genetic information; the physical structure that contains @G02604@ (cf. @P04689@). Eukaryotic cells have a characteristic number of chromosomes per cell (cf. @P04696@) and contain DNA as linear duplexes. The chromosomes of bacteria consist of double-standed, circular DNA molecules.