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Related Concept Videos

Polytene Chromosomes02:04

Polytene Chromosomes

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Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also...
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In 1882, Flemming observed lampbrush chromosomes (LBC) in salamander eggs. Later in 1892, Rückert observed LBCs in shark egg cells and coined the term "lampbrush chromosomes" because they looked like brushes used to clean kerosene lamps.
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Euchromatin01:01

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The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions take up more dye, appearing darker, while the less-compact areas take up less dye and appear lighter. Based on the compaction level, chromatins are classified into two primary forms – euchromatin and heterochromatin.
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Heterochromatin02:38

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The extent of chromatin compaction can be studied by staining chromatin using specific DNA binding dyes. Under the microscope, the dense-compacted regions that take up more dye are called heterochromatin. Heterochromatin is further classified into two forms – constitutive heterochromatin and facultative heterochromatin.
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Chromosome Preparation From Cultured Cells
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Why plant chromosomes do not show G-bands.

J Greilhuber1

  • 1Botanisches Institut der Universität Wien (Cytologie), Wien, Österreich.

TAG. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. Theoretische Und Angewandte Genetik
|January 11, 2014
PubMed
Summary

G-banding patterns are not observed in plant chromosomes due to their higher DNA content and extreme contraction during metaphase. Plant constitutive heterochromatin differs from vertebrate G-bands, which are equivalent to pachytene chromomeres.

Area of Science:

  • Cytogenetics
  • Plant Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Giemsa staining techniques have historically failed to reveal G-banding patterns in plant chromosomes.
  • Existing differential staining in plant chromosomes primarily identifies constitutive heterochromatin, distinct from vertebrate G-banding patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explain the absence of G-banding patterns in plant chromosomes.
  • To differentiate between constitutive heterochromatin in plants and G-bands in vertebrates.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of chromosome structure and DNA content between plant and vertebrate species.
  • Examination of chromosome contraction levels during different cell cycle stages (pachytene vs. mitotic metaphase).

Main Results:

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  • Plant chromosomes possess significantly more DNA than vertebrate chromosomes of comparable length, hindering G-band visualization at metaphase due to optical limitations.
  • Constitutive heterochromatin patterns in plants are distinct from the additional segmentation observed in vertebrate G-bands.
  • While vertebrate chromosomes show a 2.3-fold contraction from pachytene to mitosis, allowing chromomere visibility, plant chromosomes contract approximately 10-fold, obscuring pachytene-like chromomere arrangements.

Conclusions:

  • The absence of G-bands in plants is attributed to extreme DNA content and chromosome contraction during mitotic metaphase.
  • Pachytene chromomeres in vertebrates are considered G-band equivalents, a phenomenon not demonstrable in plants due to their condensed state.