Chromosomes
Histones
proteins that DNA wraps around
prevents DNA from tearing during cell division
maintains shape of chromosomes
Non-histone proteins
do not participate in packing DNA
control activity of specific regions of the DNA
Sister Chromatids (Chromatid)
form when DNA makes a copy of itself
Centromere
constricted area of each chromatid
holds the two chromatids together
Kinetochore
disk shaped protein that surrounds the centromere
fibers radiate from kinetochore
Chromosome numbers
Diploid number
2 complete sets of DNA
2n
humans-46
Haploid number
one complete set of chromosomes
1n
gametes (egg & sperm)
23 chromosomes (human)
Fertilization
joining of egg and sperm
zygote
result of fertilization
single cell
diploid
first cell of new individual
Sex Chromosomes
determine gender
humans-X or Y
female- XX
male- XY
Autosomes
all other chromosomes
Homologous Pairs
matched sets of autosomes
similar in size, shape, and genetic makeup
each- homologue
Back to Biology Notes