Chromatin material is a complex of DNA and proteins that form the chromosomes found in the cells of humans and other higher organisms. Chromatin is located within the cell nucleus and is a packaging material for DNA. It helps to organize DNA into "bead-like" structures called nucleosomes by providing a base on which the DNA can be wrapped around. The main proteins that package DNA into chromatin are histones. The primary function of chromatin is to package long DNA molecules into more compact, denser structures, which prevents the strands from becoming tangled around themselves or getting damaged during cell division. Chromatin fibers can unwind for DNA replication and transcription. When cells replicate, duplicated chromatins condense further to become chromosomes, which are visible under a microscope and are separated into daughter cells during cell division. The structure of chromatin is governed by a number of factors, and the complete structure mainly depends on the phases of the cell cycle. Chromatin makes it possible for a number of cell processes to occur, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, genetic recombination, and cell division.