Chromosome Structure

Flashcards covering vocabulary related to the structure and function of chromosomes.

Chromosome

Components of living cells that carry genetic information in the form of DNA.

Chromatin

The specific association of DNA and protein that constitutes a functional eukaryotic chromosome.

Centromere

The region where sister chromatids are joined and is the site of kinetochore formation during cell division.

Telomere

The ends of the chromatids that contain the free ends of the chromosomal DNA and are important for chromosome stability.

Nucleosome

The basic subunit of chromatin consisting of DNA wound around a histone protein octamer.

Euchromatin

Largely decondensed chromatin that is potentially active in gene expression.

Heterochromatin

Highly condensed chromatin that is inactive in gene expression.

Telomerase

A special DNA polymerase that adds repetitive sequences to telomeres to maintain their length and prevent them from shortening.

Metacentric chromosome

A chromosome with its centromere positioned near the center.

Acrocentric chromosome

A chromosome with its centromere positioned towards one end.

Telocentric chromosome

A chromosome with its centromere located at one end.

Chromatin condensation

The process by which chromatin becomes more compact and organized during cell division.

Histones

Proteins around which DNA is wrapped to form nucleosomes.

Kinetochore

Protein structure on the centromere where spindle fibers attach during cell division.

Cell cycle

The series of phases that a cell goes through in order to divide and replicate.

DNA replication

The process of copying a DNA molecule to create two identical copies.