Current Affairs 11th Class

Category : 11th Class

Chromosome were discover by Hofmeister (1848) in filament of pollen mother cells of tradescantia (Rhoeodiscolour) studied by strasburger (1875) and given the persent name by Waldeyer (1888).

During interphase, chromatin threads are present in the form of a network called chromatin reticulum. At the time of cell division, these thread like structures of chromatin become visible as independent structures, called chromosomes. The haploid set of chromosomes is define as genome.

Structure : Each chromosome consists of two coiled filaments throughout its length called chromonemata by Vejdovsky. These have bead like structures called chromomeres which bear genes. Chromatid is a half chromosome or daughter chromosome. The two chromatids are connected at the centromere or primary constriction. Primary constriction (centromere) and secondary constriction gives rise to satellite. The secondary constriction consists of genes which code for ribosomal RNA and nucleolus hence it is called as “nucleolar organizer region”. Chromosomes having satellite are called SAT chromosomes. The ends of chromosomes are called “telomeres” (which do not unite with any other structure).

In 1928 Emile Heitz developed a technique for stainning of chromosomes. Staining property of chromosomes is called as heteropycnosis. Chromosomes can be stained with basic dye like janus green there are two types of regions are seen :–

(1) Heterochromatin : It is formed of thick regions which are more darkly stained than others areas. It is with condensed RNA which is transcriptionally inactive and late replicating. It generally lies near the nuclear lamina. It is of two type :

(i) Constitutive hetrochromative : Occurs in all cells in all stages. e.g., Centromere.

(ii) Facultative hetrochromative : Formed by inactivation of some gene in some cell in some stages. e.g., Barr body. 

(2) Euchromatin : It is true chromatin and is formed of thin, less darkly stained  areas. It is with loose DNA which is transcriptionally active and early replicating.

Chemical chomposition : DNA - 40%. Histone – 50%. Other (acid) Proteins – 8.5%. RNA – 1.5%. Traces of lipids, Ca, Mg and Fe. Histone are low molecular weight basic proteins which occur alongwith DNA in ratio. Nonhistone chromosomal or NHC proteins are of three types– structural, enzymatic and regulatory. Structural NHC proteins form the core or axis of the chromosome. They are also called scaffold proteins.