Quantitative analysis of C-bands based on optical density profiles in human chromosomes

A method of quantitative analysis of C segments in human chromosomes 1, 9, and 16 based on longitudinal densitometry has been developed. The way of fitting apparatus data to visual estimates is represented. Density curve parameters not dependent on stain intensity were used. The general C band length error is approx. 0.05 micrometer. Heteromorphic chromosome 16 pairs have been investigated with this method. A significant difference (about 0.18 micrometer) between C bands of the homologues has been detected in chromosome 16. It has been calculated that C bands can be distinquished if the mean difference between the length of the homologues is more than 15%.