Honors Biology 298 - Week 4

 

Analyzing Chromosomes and Karyotypes

 

chromosome = 1 long continuous strand of DNA/chromatin

                          the chromatin is arranged in domains

 

 

 

 

individual chromosomes can then be identified based on banding patterns

 

 

 

            G-banding – treat chromosomes with trypsin (enzyme)

 

 

 

            R-banding – heat chromosomes to partially denature DNA

 

 

 

 

            Q-banding - treat chromosomes with the chemical quinacrine

 

 

 

 

            C-banding - treat chromosomes with harsh chemicals to extract

 

 

 

 

based on the staining pattern generated for each chromosome, one can identify individual

chromosomes and prepare karyotypes

 

 

 

bands, produced by the methods just mentioned, are consistent chromosomal landmarks

 

 

 

            a karyotype is described by:

 

            1)

            2)

            3)

            4)

Abnormalities include: t = translocation

 

 

 

 

dup = duplication

 

 

 

 

del = deletion

 

 

 

 

            ex: 46,XY,del(5p)

 

            ex: 46,XX,t(9;22)(q34q11)

 

 

 

Human chromosomal complement

            : human genome is divided among 22 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes

 

            :

 

 

            : diploid or 2N number of chromosomes

 

 

            : genes are spread out over all chromosomes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

essential features of eukaryotic chromosome

1) telomeres – the ends of chromosomes

                       

 

 

 

 

1)     centromeres

 

 

 

 

 

3) replication origins – sites where enzymes bind to initiate replication

 

 

 

 

Haploid vs. Diploid Genomes

            haploid genome contains one copy of each chromosome (22 + 1 = 23 = N)

           

 

 

            the two copies of a chromosome pair have the same genes but may have

            different versions of the genes with distinct DNA sequences

 

            alleles

 

 

 

Variations in Chromosome Number

            normal conditions with haploid or diploid number of chromosomes is called

           

 

 

            variations in the number of haploid sets of chromosomes is called polyploidy

           

 

 

                        ex: triploid =

 

            change in chromosome number that involves less than an entire diploid set of

            chromosomes is called aneuploidy

 

 

 

 

                        ex: monosomy (2N-1) =

 

                        ex: trisomy (2N+1) =

 

 

 

Chromosomes and the Cell Cycle

 

Chromosomes, although present, are not visible in the nuclei of nondividing cells

 

When cells prepare to divide, thin strands of chromatin begin to condense into coiled structures, ultimately forming chromosomes

 

These highly coiled chromosomes then can be viewed with a microscope

 

Chromosomes exist as pairs or homologues where one member of the pair is derived from the female parent and the other from the male parent.

 

zygote

 

 

Does a greater number of chromosomes mean a more complex organism?

 

            ex: chimp/gorilla = 48

            ex: dog/chicken = 78

            ex: mouse = 40

            ex: fruit fly = 8

            ex: corn = 20

 

Why do dogs and chickens have more chromosomes than humans?

 

 

 

 

The cell cycle describes the life history of a cell

Many cells alternate between states of division and nondivision

 

The interval between divisions

 

cell cycle

 

 

 mitosis and cytokinesis

 

 

            mitosis

 

 

            cytokinesis

 

 

*growth and synthesis

Two stages of the cell cycle:

1)     interphase

 

 

            3 phases to interphase:

            1) G1 (gap 1) –

 

 

 

 

 

            2) S (synthesis) –

 

 

 

            3) G2 (gap 2) –

 

 

 

The time spent by a cell in interphase varies between 18-24 hrs

 

            some cells continually cycle through mitosis

            ex:

 

 

            while others stop in interphase and do not proceed to the next division

            ex: cells of the nervous system –

 

 

            This is what happens in the case of spinal cord injuries

 

 

 

 

            in between are cells which are arrested in G1 or G2 that can be stimulated to

            proceed through interpahse and into cell division

            ex: epidermal (skin) cells

 

The regulation of this part of the cell cycle is very because

 

 

 

2)     mitosis

 

 

 

            cytokinesis is not too precise

 

            however, the division and distribution of chromosomes must be accurate

 

 

 

            mitosis can be divided into 4 stages:

1)     prophase –

 

 

 

                        chromatids

 

 

 

                        sister chromatids

 

 

 

2)     metaphase –

 

 

 

 

 

                        3) anaphase –

 

 

 

 

 

 

                        4) telophase –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Significance of Mitosis

 

Mitosis is an essential process

 

The mechanism that determines whether cells are cycling or noncycling operates in

 

 

 

It has been established that each species has a characteristic life span

 

 

 

Cells cultured from human embryos have a limit of about 50 doublings

 

 

 

 

This programming must be under genetic control

 

 

            progeria –