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Types of Chromosomes

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12 views3 pages

Types of Chromosomes

Bana

Uploaded by

zymonp64
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Types of Chromosomes

Depending on the position of the centromere, chromosomes are categorized


into the following types:

1. Metacentric chromosomes – The centromere is present in the middle of


the chromosome and divides the chromosome into two equal arms. The p
and q arms are almost equal. The shape of the metacentric chromosome is X
shape. E.g. 1st, 3rd, 16th, 19th and 20th are metacentric chromosomes in
humans.

Sometimes fusion of two acrocentric chromosomes by translocation leads to


the formation of one metacentric chromosome.

2. Telocentric chromosomes – It is not observed in humans. They have


centromeres present at the end of the chromosome. The shorter p arm is
rarely visible. The shape of the chromosome at the anaphase is like the letter
‘i’.

3. Acrocentric chromosomes – The centromere is present near the end of


chromosomes. It forms a very short p arm and a very long q arm. E.g. 13 th,
14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd and Y chromosomes are acrocentric in humans.

4. Submetacentric chromosomes – The centromere is present near the


middle and divides the chromosome into two unequal arms. It is an L-shaped
chromosome. Most chromosomes in humans are submetacentric, e.g. 2 nd,
4th to 12th, 17th, 18th and X chromosomes.

Different Types of Chromosomes – Based on


number of centromeres
Apart from these, chromosomes are also categorized based on the number
of centromeres present in them. They are of the following types:

1. Acentric – Acentric chromosomes do not have a centromere. E.g. in the


macronucleus of ciliates. It cannot attach to the mitotic spindle. Acentric
chromosomes can also be formed by breaking a chromosome.
2. Monocentric – This type of chromosome has only one centromere with narrow
constriction. This is commonly found in highly repetitive DNA.
3. Dicentric – It is an abnormal chromosome and is formed by the union of two
chromosome fragments. Each chromosome fragment has a centromere in it. These
chromosomes are unstable because due to the presence of two centromeres they
tend to move to opposite poles and break.
4. Holocentric – Here, the entire chromosome acts as a centromere. The centromere
is diffused and present along the length of the chromosome

Down syndrome: Genetic disorder, usually with physical traits. People with this condition are
often social and friendly. Their language development is similar to that of more typical
children.
Autism: Neurological disorder (dysfunction in the brain and nervous system) with no physical
characteristics. People with this condition often prefer to be alone and not socialize. Their
language skills might be delayed or not develop.

Types of Down Syndrome


There are three types of Down syndrome: trisomy 21, translocation Down syndrome, and mosaic
Down syndrome.
Trisomy 21
This is the most common type of Down syndrome, with 95% of people with DS having trisomy
21. Here, all your body's cells have three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two.
Translocation Down syndrome
About 3% of people with Down syndrome have this type, where there's an extra part or whole
chromosome 21, but it's attached to another chromosome instead of being a separate
chromosome 21.
Mosaic Down syndrome
This type of Down syndrome, which affects about 2% of people with the condition, happens
when only some cells in your body have an extra chromosome 21.
You can’t tell what type of Down syndrome someone has by how they look. The effects of all
three types are very similar, but someone with mosaic Down syndrome may not have as many
symptoms because fewer cells have the extra chromosome. So it's possible to have undiagnosed
mosaic Down syndrome.

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