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Question

Difference between euchromatin and heterochromatin

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Solution

Euchromatin and heterochromatin are the two structural forms of DNA in the genome, which are found in the nucleus.


Euchromatin is the loosely packed form of DNA, found in the inner body of the nucleus. Heterochromatin is the tightly packed form of DNA, found in the periphery of the nucleus. Around 90% of the human genome consists of euchromatin.
The main difference between euchromatin and heterochromatin is that euchromatin consists of transcriptionally active regions of DNA whereas heterochromatin consists of transcriptionally inactive DNA regions in the genome.


So, i have provided 10 differnces. please select the ones you can easily learn for class 12 exams . For NEET, all these are important.


Difference # Euchromatin:

1. The chromatin fibres in this region are loosely coiled as compared with hetero­ chromatic regions

2. Euchromatin is deeply stained in divisional cycle but less stained in interphase.

3. The region is genetically active and con­tains unique DNA.

4. Euchromatic regions are able to synthesize mRNA in vitro(within the cell).

5. Euchromatic regions are seen to replicate their DNA earlier than heterochromatin. They replicate during ‘S’ phase.

6. Due to addition or loss of this region phenotype (external character) is affected.


7. This region is not sticky.

8. The crossover frequency is more in euchro­matin.

9. Euchromatin does not show heteropycnosis.

10. Euchromatin is less affected than hetero­ chromatin by temperature, sex, age, etc.

11. Low density DNA
12. Found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Difference # Heterochromatin:

1. The chromatin fibres in this region are more tightly folded than euchromatic regions.

2. Heterochromatin is deeply stained in interphase but less stained in divisional cycle.

3. Heterochromatic regions are unable to synthe­size mRNA in vitro.

4. Heterochromatic regions are unable to synthe­size mRNA in vitro size mRNA in vitro.

5. Heterochromatic regions are seen to replicate during the onset of divisional cycle.

6. Addition or loss of this region does not affect phenotype.

7. This region is sticky.

8. Crossover frequency is less than euchromatin.

9. Heterochromatin shows heteropycnosis.

10. Heterochromatin is more affected than euchro­matin by temperature, sex, age of parents, proximity to the centromere.

11. High density DNA

12. Found in eukaryotes onky.




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