Types Of Chromosomes

Overview

Types of chromosomes can be classified based on the position of the centromere, which divides the chromosome into two arms. The main types include metacentric chromosomes, where the centromere is located at the midpoint, resulting in two equal arms; submetacentric chromosomes, with the centromere slightly off-center, creating one longer and one shorter arm; acrocentric chromosomes, where the centromere is near one end, leading to a very short arm; and telocentric chromosomes, which have the centromere at the very end, resulting in a single arm. These structural variations play significant roles in genetic inheritance and chromosomal behavior during cell division

Questions and Answers

  1. What are the main types of chromosomes based on the position of the centromere?

    The main types of chromosomes are metacentric, submetacentric, acrocentric, and telocentric

  2. What characterizes a metacentric chromosome?

    A metacentric chromosome has its centromere located at the midpoint, resulting in two equal arms

  3. How does a submetacentric chromosome differ from a metacentric chromosome?

    A submetacentric chromosome has the centromere slightly off-center, creating one longer arm and one shorter arm, unlike the equal arms of a metacentric chromosome

  4. What is an acrocentric chromosome?

    An acrocentric chromosome has the centromere located near one end, resulting in a very short arm on one side

  5. Describe a telocentric chromosome.

    A telocentric chromosome has its centromere at the very end, resulting in a chromosome with a single arm

Multiple-Choice Questions

  1. What type of chromosome has its centromere located at the midpoint?

    a) Submetacentric
    b) Acrocentric
    c) Metacentric
    d) Telocentric
    Answer: c) Metacentric

  2. Which type of chromosome has the centromere near one end?

    a) Metacentric
    b) Submetacentric
    c) Acrocentric
    d) Telocentric
    Answer: c) Acrocentric

  3. What distinguishes a submetacentric chromosome from a metacentric chromosome?

    a) It has a centromere at one end.
    b) It has a centromere slightly off-center.
    c) It has equal arms.
    d) It has a single arm.
    Answer: b) It has a centromere slightly off-center.

  4. Which type of chromosome has its centromere at the very end?

    a) Metacentric
    b) Submetacentric
    c) Acrocentric
    d) Telocentric
    Answer: d) Telocentric

  5. Which type of chromosome is most commonly found in humans?

    a) Telocentric
    b) Acrocentric
    c) Submetacentric
    d) Metacentric
    Answer: c) Submetacentric