CHROMOSOMES

What Exactly is a chromosome?

Chromosomes are the rod-shaped, filamentous bodies present in the nucleus, which become visible during cell division.

They are the carriers of the gene or unit of heredity.

Chromosome are not visible in active nucleus due to their high water content, but are clearly seen during cell division.

Chromosomes are composed of thin chromatin threads called Chromatin fibers.

These fibers undergo folding, coiling and supercoiling during prophase so that the chromosomes become progressively thicker and smaller.

Therefore, chromosomes become readily observable under light microscope.

At the end of cell division, on the other hand, the fibers uncoil and extend as fine chromatin threads, which are not visible at light microscope

The complexes between eukaryotic DNA and proteins are called Chromatin, which typically contains about twice as much protein as DNA.

The major proteins of chromatin are the histones

A typical mitotic chromosome at metaphase

LAMPBRUSH CHROMOSOMES

Giant Chromosomes

Some cells at certain particular stages contain large nuclei with giant or large sized chromosome . The giant chromosomes are the polytene and lampbrush chromosome

Found in certain tissues e.g., salivary glands of larvae, gut epithelium, Malphigian tubules and some fat bodies, of some Diptera (Drosophila, Sciara, Rhyncosciara)

These chromosomes are very long and thick (upto 200 times their size during mitotic metaphase in the case of Drosophila)

Hence they are known as Giant chromosomes.

Giant chromosomes

Lampbrush Chromosome

It was given this name because it is similar in appearance to the brushes used to clean lamp chimneys in centuries past.

First observed by Flemming in 1882. (salamander egg cells—Amblystoma maxicanum )

The name lampbrush was given by Ruckert in 1892.( shark egg cells )

These are found in oocytic nuclei of vertebrates (sharks, amphibians, reptiles and birds)as well as in invertebrates (Sagitta, sepia, Ehinaster and several species of insects).

Also found in plants – but most experiments in oocytes.

Lampbrush chromosomes are intermediate structures present during the first meiotic division.

They are present in the form of bivalents in which the maternal & paternal chromosomes are held together by chiasmata.

central axis consist of 2 bivalent homologous chromosome each with 2 chromatids. So, altogether there are 4 chromatids.

Each chromosome has several chromomeres distributed over its length.

From each chromomere, a pair of loops emerges in the opposite directions vertical to the main chromosomal axis.

Usually , 1-9 loops may arise from each chromomere.

Loop

chromomerchromati

ds

Homologus chromosome

Lateral loop contain a fully extended DNA duplex. They are believed to be formed by the uncoiling of the sister chromatids.

Lateral loops contain bundles of sub microscopic fibrils . Both the central axis & the loop axis are formed of

Deoxyribonucleoprotein . The loop axis may be coated with matrix of RNA & proteins. The lateral loops are active site of RNA synthesis ( genetic

transcription ) Each loop may contain one or more transcription units ( transcriptons )

Newly synthesised RNA molecules associate with proteins & form a ribonucleoprotein ( RNP ) matrix.

But some of the mRNA molecule play an active role in the subsequent development of the zygote.

Small swelling without loops may be present towards the end of central axis ,they represent the telomeres.

Each bivalent may contain a loop less swelling also it represents the centromere

Lampbrush chromosomes are up to 800 µm long; thus they provide very favorable material for cytological studies.

The lampbrush chromosome loops are used to studying transcription

Room temperature 21-24 ⁰C have larger loops in frog . At higher temperature 28-32 ⁰C helped to bring about the

maximal expansion of the loops. The size of the loop may be ranging the average of 9.5 µm to

about 200 µm

Phase-contrast and fluorescent micrographs of

lampbrush chromosomes

Lampbrush chromosomes are believed to govern the synthetic activities of growing Oocytes.

It is suggested that they are actively involved in the synthesis of RNA , proteins & deutoplasmic ( yolk ) reserves .

Lampbrush chromosomes also show the possible way of the gene amplification which required during the growth phase of oocytes.