What is euchromatin and heterochromatin?

Heterochromatin is defined as the area of the chromosome which is darkly stained with a DNA specific stain and is in comparatively condensed form. Euchromatin is defined as the area of the chromosome which is rich in gene concentration and actively participates in the transcription process.

What is the differences between euchromatin and heterochromatin?

Euchromatin has a less compact structure, whereas heterochromatin is more compact and composed of an array of nucleosomes condensed into a fiber. These regions, which are known as constitutive heterochromatin, remain condensed throughout the cell cycle and are not actively transcribed.

What do you mean by euchromatin?

Euchromatin is the genetically active region of the chromosome. It contains structural genes that are replicated during G1 and S phase of interphase by allowing polymerases to access the genes. 1.

What is euchromatin and its function?

Function. Euchromatin participates in the active transcription of DNA to mRNA products. The unfolded structure allows gene regulatory proteins and RNA polymerase complexes to bind to the DNA sequence, which can then initiate the transcription process.

What’s the difference between euchromatin and hetero chromatin?

Heterochromatin Definition. Heterochromatin is a form of chromatin that is densely packed—as opposed to euchromatin, which is lightly packed—and is found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Whereas euchromatin allows the DNA to be replicated and transcribed, heterochromatin is in such a condensed structure that it does not enable DNA

Where does heterochromatin occur in the human body?

Heterochromatin exists in two forms; constitutive and facultative heterochromatin. Euchromatin exists in a single form; constitutive euchromatin. Heterochromatin is present towards the periphery of the nucleus. Euchromatin is present in the inner body of the nucleus. Heterochromatin exhibits heteropycnosis.

Which is a lightly packed form of chromatin?

Euchromatin Definition. Euchromatin is a form of chromatin that is lightly packed—as opposed to heterochromatin, which is densely packed. The presence of euchromatin usually reflects that cells are transcriptionally active, i.e. they are actively transcribing DNA to mRNA.

Where is euchromatin located in the human genome?

Euchromatin is a more lightly packed DNA that is characterized by less intense staining and DNA sequences that are transcriptionally active or might become transcriptionally-active at some point during growth. Euchromatin is present towards the center of the nucleus and accounts for about 90% of the genome in an organism.