A karyotype is the number and appearance of chromosomes in the nucleus of a eukaryote cell.[1][2]p28[3] The term is also used for the complete set of chromosomes in a species, or an individual organism.
Karyotypes describe the number of chromosomes, and what they look like under a light microscope. Attention is paid to their length, the position of the centromeres, any differences between the sex chromosomes, and any other physical characteristics.[4] The preparation and study of karyotypes is part of cytogenetics.
Karyogram of human male using Giemsa staining.
The study of whole sets of chromosomes is sometimes known as karyology. The chromosomes are depicted (by rearranging a microphotograph) in a standard format known as a karyogram or idiogram: in pairs, ordered by size and position of centromere for chromosomes of the same size.
The basic number of chromosomes in the somatic cells of an individual or a species is called the somatic number and is designated 2n. Thus, in humans 2n = 46. In the germ-line (the sex cells) the chromosome number is n (humans: n = 23).[2]p28
So, in normal diploid organisms, autosomal chromosomes are present in two copies. There may, or may not, be sex chromosomes. Polyploid cells have multiple copies of chromosomes and haploid cells have single copies.
Karyotypes can be used for many purposes; such as, to study chromosomal aberrations, cellular function, taxonomic relationships, and to gather information about past evolutionary events.
What is a karyotype? What type of information
can be obtained from it?
1 answer