DNA condensation refers to the process by which long chains of DNA are coiled up and compacted into smaller spaces. There are several terms that are commonly used to describe this process, including DNA compaction, DNA packing, DNA folding, and DNA supercoiling. These terms all refer to the same basic process, but they emphasize different aspects of it. DNA compaction, for example, emphasizes the reduction in the size of the DNA chains, whereas DNA supercoiling emphasizes the twisting of the chains that occurs as they are compacted. Regardless of the term used, DNA condensation is a crucial process that allows cells to pack their DNA efficiently into the limited space available in their nuclei.