Question

What are the types of heterochromatin?

Answer 1

Heterochromatin:

1. It is defined as the highly condensed form of DNA which appears darkly stained.
2. It is found in the genome of eukaryotes.
3. It doesn't actively participate in transcription.

Types of heterochromatin:

Constitutive heterochromatin:

1. The type of heterochromatin that contains satellite DNA contains large numbers of variable numbers of tandem repeated sequences which is mainly responsible for making the Chromatin compact.
2. The unstable satellite DNA makes heterochromatin polymorphic.

Facultative heterochromatin:

1. The type of heterochromatin which contains LINES repeated sequences that are dispersed throughout the genome, it is assumed that these repeated sequences promote compaction.
2. The facultative heterochromatin is not polymorphic as it is not rich in satellite DNA.