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[lacrossegirl420]

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[Damson]

@Goro

 

[Goro]

Don't really understand the difference between these two terms... my understanding is that chromosome is only seen during the M phase? Aren't they both condensed?

Google is your friend

 

[lacrossegirl420]

@Goro : Wouldn't be asking if googling it was helpful lol

 

[Goro]

Chromosomes, chromatids and chromatin (video) | Khan Academy

Overview of DNA transcription, translation, and replication during mitosis and meiosis. Learn about chromosomes, chromatids, and chromatin.

www.khanacademy.org

Difference Between Heterochromatin and Euchromatin (with Comparison Chart) - Bio Differences

The major difference between heterochromatin and euchromatin is that heterochromatin is such part of chromosomes, which is a firmly packed form and they are genetically inactive, while euchromatin is an uncoiled (loosely) packed form of chromatin and are

biodifferences.com

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What is chromatin, heterochromatin and euchromatin? | MBInfo

What is chromatin, heterochromatin and euchromatin? The human genome contains over 3 billion base pairs or nucleotides. These nucleotides, which are arranged in a linear sequence along DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), encode every protein and genetic trait in the human body. This information is...

www.mechanobio.info

Heterochromatin - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Diagram of Chromosome Structure - Online Biology Dictionary

The diagram of chromosome structure below shows how DNA is organized in a eukaryotic cell.

www.macroevolution.net

 

[acstylin]

A better question is the diff between heterochromatin and euchromatin. Think of those two words to describe the state of a chromosome- tightly wound vs relaxed respectively.

 

[lacrossegirl420]

@acstylin : Right, so I definitely understand the difference between hetero and euchromatin, but the sources I've seen are either ambiguous / assume it's "obvious" what the difference between heterochromatin and a chromosome are. So if I'm understanding your post correctly, heterochromatin / euchromatin are just two of the versions a chromosome could be in?

 

[acstylin]

Ya. “Chromosome” is like the general term for the bundle of DNA in our cells but chromosomes have structures and components such as histones. My memory is foggy but I believe chromatin refers to the bundling of histones. We talk about the different conditions the chromatin can be found in. You have euchromatin and heterochromatin which we’ve already discussed. I think comparing heterochromatin to chromosomes is an inaccurate comparison. It’s like comparing a sedan vs automobile. A sedan is an automobile but there is nothing more to learn from that comparison. A better comparison would be to compare two different automobiles right? SUV vs Sedan. Both are autos but totally different from each other. Same as this chromosome thing. Heterochromatin is a specific condition that a chromosome can be found in (tightly wound) but we still don’t learn much from the comparison. Euchromatin (Loose) vs heterochromatin is a comparison that teaches us something. When a chromosome is in a euchromatin state, DNA translation occurs. While in heterochromatin, nothing happens as all the DNA is hidden. Does that help?

 

[lacrossegirl420]

@acstylin : That makes sense, thanks!

 

[MGA100]

Chromatin is the genral packaging of DNA and it's complexed with proteins and non protein molecules. It has the two states of heterochromatin and euchromatin that exist when a cell is non dividing, where the eucchromatin state is accesible and allows for transcription. The heterochromatin state is inaccesible DNA that is not used for transcription.

When a cell is dividing, chromatin becomes maximally condensed and is then called a chromosome. It is not accessible for transcription during this state.

In summary, a chromatin that is maximally condensed in a DIVIDING cell is a chromosome. If it is not dividing, it exists as more loosely packed chromatin which has the two states of hetero and euchromatin. Hope that helps.