L4 Chromosome Structure Flashcards
What do diploid eukaryotic cells contain
two copies of each chromosome
What can individual chromosomes be easily distinguished
metaphase of mitosis
Karotype
organised representation of all chromosomes at metaphase
Describe the organisation of individual chromosomes in interphase
occupy distinct subnuclear terriotories
Chromosome
highly coiled fibre of chromatin
Types of chromatin
euchromatin, heterochromatin
Nucleosome
building material of chromosomes
Types of histone
4 distinct types
Core histones
protein subunit of nucleosome
Function of histone tails
interact with proteins, facilitate regulation of chromatin
H1
linker histone
Function of H1
straps DNA onto histone octamers - limits DNA movement
What does H1 facilitate
establishment of transcriptionally silent heterochromatin
Interphase chromatin
set of dynamic fractal globules
Nuclear periphery in interphase cells composition
transcriptionally inactive DNA
Heterochromatin
transcriptionally silent
Inner part of the nucleus in interphase cells
RNA transcripts, transcriptionally active genes
Telomere
DNA sequences at ends of linear chromosome
Telomere function
maintain chromosomal integrity
Replication origin
DNA sequence, initiation of DNA replication