[Functional dimorphism in satellite chromosomes in hamadryas baboons]

Dimorphism of satellite chromosomes observed in bone marrow of female as well as male Papio hamadryas, and in continuous cultures of the monkey haemopoetic cells is described. Most frequently the observed dimorphism is expressed in different lengths of satellite arms. The structural dimorphism of satellite chromosomes seen in Macaca, Papio and other genera may seem to originate from different degrees of functional activity of these chromosomes. The active homologue is longer since its satellite arm is less spiralized.