Chromosomes are assembled on a scaffold of proteins, called histones, that allow DNA to be tightly packed. There are five major types of histones, all of which have a positive charge; the positive charges of the histones attract the negative charges on the phosphates of DNA, thus holding the DNA in contact with the histones. These thicker strands of DNA and proteins are called chromatin. Chromatin is then packed to form the familiar structure of a chromosome. During mitosis, chromosomes acquire characteristic shapes that allow them to be counted and identified.