Chromosome Analysis and Karyotyping

Regions of chromosomes that are loosely packed and contain active genes. They stain lightly, often appearing as light bands in banding techniques.

Regions of chromosomes that are tightly packed and contain inactive genes. They stain darkly, often appearing as dark bands in banding techniques.

A visual representation of an organism's complete set of chromosomes. It is a structured arrangement of the chromosomes, ordered by size and banding patterns.

A technique for visualizing chromosomes based on their banding patterns, achieved through contrasting stained and unstained regions on the chromosomes.

A chromosome banding technique that uses a fluorescent dye (quinacrine), creating bright (Q-bands) and darker bands (G-bands) on chromosomes.

A complex of DNA and proteins that packages DNA in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

A state where chromatin is loosely packed, allowing for access to DNA by proteins like RNA polymerase, which is needed for transcription.

A densely packed state of chromatin where DNA is tightly wound and inaccessible for transcription.

The process of copying genetic information from DNA to RNA.

Chemical modifications to histone proteins, altering their interactions with DNA and influencing gene expression.

A technique that examines the 3D spatial organization of the genome by analyzing interactions between distant DNA regions.

A technique that examines the overall size and structure of chromosomes using staining.

Stable changes in chromatin structure that can be passed down from generation to generation.

A technique that uses specialized staining to visualize chromosomes, enabling observation and analysis.

The region on a chromosome that connects the two sister chromatids and serves as the point of attachment during cell division.

Distinctive patterns formed along chromosomes when they are stained, which reveal different regions with differing DNA densities. They act like landmarks for identifying chromosomes.

The comparison of chromosome size, centromere location, and banding patterns to identify any abnormalities or variations.

The process of classifying chromosomes based on their number, size, shape, banding patterns, and regions of euchromatin and heterochromatin.

A chemical treatment that halts cell division at metaphase, when chromosomes are most condensed and easily visible.

A graphic representation of chromosomes arranged by size and banding patterns.

A simplified karyogram that shows chromosomes in pairs and includes standardized banding patterns.

A technique using fluorescent dyes, like quinacrine, to create light and dark bands on chromosomes, revealing species-specific patterns.

A condition where an organism has more than two sets of chromosomes in its cells, resulting from chromosome duplication.

A type of polyploidy where all chromosomes are duplicated from the same species.

A type of polyploidy where chromosomes come from different species.

The comparison of chromosome structure and gene arrangement between different species, revealing evolutionary relationships.

The number of chromosomes in a cell's nucleus, often symbolized as '2n'. Think of it as the complete set of chromosomes that the organism inherits from its parents.

The number of chromosomes in a single haploid set, symbolized as 'x'. Think of it as the basic building block of the organism's genome.

Chromosomes with a centromere located near the middle, resulting in two arms of roughly equal length.

Chromosomes with a centromere slightly off-center, resulting in one arm slightly longer than the other.

Chromosomes with a centromere located near the end, resulting in one very short arm (p arm) and one very long arm (q arm).

A small, rounded structure found on the short arm of acrocentric chromosomes, often containing ribosomal DNA.

The shorter arm of a chromosome, located on the side of the centromere opposite the longer arm.

The longer arm of a chromosome, located on the side of the centromere opposite the shorter arm.

The complete set of genetic material in an organism, including all its genes and non-coding DNA.

A type of cell that has two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent. Humans are diploid.

The size of a genome is not directly related to the number of genes it contains. Larger genomes can have fewer genes than smaller genomes.

Repetitive DNA sequences make up a significant portion of many eukaryotic genomes, contributing to their larger size. They are less likely to contain genes.

Highly repetitive DNA sequences can change rapidly over time, meaning their structure may not always be the same between generations.

The ends of a chromosome, these protective caps prevent DNA degradation and contribute to stability.

A region of DNA within a chromosome where sister chromatids attach during cell division. This region is often constricted and appears as a narrow point on the chromosome.

A tightly packed form of chromatin that is genetically inactive and doesn't contain actively transcribed genes. It often stains darkly.

The fundamental building block of chromatin, consisting of DNA wrapped around a core of histone proteins. It resembles a bead on a string, with DNA looping around the histone core.

The basic double helix structure of DNA, composed of two strands of nucleotides linked by hydrogen bonds. It looks like a twisted ladder with the sides made of sugar-phosphate backbone and the rungs made of nitrogenous bases.

The highest level of chromosome condensation during cell division, consisting of two sister chromatids held together at the centromere. It's like a tightly wound, X-shaped structure.

The progressive packaging of DNA into various levels of compaction, starting from the basic DNA double helix and culminating in the highly condensed mitotic chromosome. It's like folding a piece of paper multiple times to make it smaller.