Chromosomes Flashcards
1
Q
What are chromosomes?
A
- long, thread-like structures
- that form part of the chromatin network in the nuclei of cells
2
Q
What are chromosomes made up of?
A
- a strand of DNA wound around proteins called histones
3
Q
How many chromosomes are in the somatic cells of diploid organisms?
A
- the number of chromosomes in each cell is the same
4
Q
What are the chromosomes of somatic cells made up of?
A
- two sets
- one chromosome of each pair comes from the mother and one comes from the father
- therefore diploid cells
5
Q
When is a homologous pair formed?
A
- when a paternal chromosome and a maternal chromosome pair up
6
Q
What does the DNA of each chromosome do?
A
- replicates to form 2 identical threads or chromatids joined by a centromere
7
Q
When does DNA replication occur?
A
- in the interphase of a cell cycle
8
Q
When do chromosomal threads become visible?
A
- only when they shorten and thicken as a cell divides
