Module A: Cytogenetics Flashcards
What is chromatin?
complexes of chromosomes condensed with histones
Describe the utility of a standard karyotype and how it is obtained.
how it is obtained:
cells are induced to divide, then trapped in metaphase and stained
utility:
allows chromosomes to be visualized under a light microscope
Only certain cells can be induced to divide for a standard karyotype. What are they? (6)
blood lymphocytes
amniotic fluid cells
chorionic villi
skin fibroblasts
testicular biopsies
bone marrow
[BACSTB]
In the absence of genes on a Y chromosome, how will the embryo develop?
embryo will develop into a female
In the context of chromosome staining, what are bands?
predictable patterns of light and dark regions
A typical chromosome spread has how many bands?
550 bands
High resolution chromosome spreads have how many bands?
1500 bands
Define acrocentric chromosome.
centromeres close to one end
Define metacentric chromosome.
centromeres near middle
Define centromere.
constriction points where spindle fibers ttach
Define autosome.
chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes
Define euchromatin.
contains genes being actively transcribed
Define heterochromatin.
condensed and generally inactive
What are homologous chromosomes?
two chromosomes in a pair in diploid organisms
What are satellites?
strings of repetitive DNA (usually rRNA coding) that make up short arms of acrocentric chromosomes
What are telomeres?
strings of repetitive DNA at ends of chromosomes
Human chromosomes are numbered from 1 to 22 in what order?
roughly in size order
Describe how the centromere divides the chromosome.
centromere divides chromosome into short arm (p) and long arm (q)
Describe the band-numbering convention in chromosomes. (4)
bands are numbered extending from centromere (band 10)
first major band = 1, second major band = 2, etc.
subbands of major band given second digit (i.e. third subband of first band = 13)
splitting of subband denoted by number following decimal point
In the standard nomenclature system, how are abnormalities indicated? Give an example by writing out the karyotype nomenclature for a male with Down syndrome. (2)
abnormalities indicated following comma after sex chromosomes
47, XY, +21
In the standard nomenclature system, how are deletions indicated? Give an example by writing out the karyotype nomenclature for a male with a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5. (2)
indicated with “del”
46, XY, del(5p)
In the standard nomenclature system, how are duplications indicated?
indicated with “dup”
In the standard nomenclature system, how are inversions indicated?
indicated with “inv”
Chromosome abnormalities are relatively common in what groups of people?
couples with infertility
spontaneous abortions/miscarriages
children with multiple congenital anomalies
couples with multiple miscarriages
individuals with cancer
Define aneuploidy.
having abnormal number of chromosomes
Define trisomy.
having three copies of a chromosome
Define triploidy.
having three copies of all the chromosomes
Define monosomy and its clinical relevance. (2)
having only one copy of a chromosome
other than X-monosomy, most monosomies are lethal in humans
Define inversion.
chromosomal anomaly in which part of chromosome is turned around in orientation