Chromosomes Worksheet

CHROMOSOMES
DESCRIPTION
A chromosome is a molecule of DNA that is supercoiled around proteins so it can fit into the nucleus of a
cell. In humans, the DNA of a single Chromosome ranges between 14 and 73 nm in length.
All eukaryotic chromosomes consist of three distinct regions: the telomeres (tips of the chromosome), the
centromere (the constricted region of the chromosome), and several hundred to several thousand genes
found along the “body” of the chromosome.
Watch this video to learn more

about the packaging of DNA in
chromosomes:
DNA learning center: How

DNA is packed (Advanced).
Available from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbSIBhFwQ4s&t=74s Accessed: 5/5/21
Study this picture for the DNA packaging in chromosomes.

Figure 1: Chromosomes are composed of DNA tightly-wound around histones.
Chromosomal DNA is packaged inside microscopic nuclei with the help of histones. These are positively-charged proteins that strongly adhere to negatively-
charged DNA and form complexes called nucleosomes. Each nuclesome is composed of DNA wound 1.65 times around eight histone proteins. Nucleosomes fold
up to form a 30-nanometer chromatin fiber, which forms loops averaging 300 nanometers in length. The 300 nm fibers are compressed and folded to produce a
250 nm-wide fiber, which is tightly coiled into the chromatid of a chromosome.
Humans have 46 chromosomes (or 23 pairs) arranged by size. Use the

following link to learn about the size and number of genes on the largest
and smallest human chromosomes:
Browse a genome. Whole genome. Available from:

https://grch37.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Location/Genome?
r=6:133017695-133161157 Accessed: 5/5/21
STRUCTURE
The TELOMERES:
Telomeres are repetitive base sequences on the tips of the chromosomes. In humans, this sequence is
TTAGGG and may be repeated hundreds or thousands of times.
They protect the ends of chromosomes in a manner similar to the way the tips of shoelaces keep them from
unraveling.
In many types of cells, telomeres lose a bit of their DNA every time a cell divides. Eventually, when all of
the telomere DNA is gone, the cell cannot replicate and dies.
The CENTROMERE:
The constricted region (narrowed are) of chromosomes is known as the centromere. Although this
constriction is called the centromere, it usually is not located exactly in the center of the chromosome and, in
some cases, is located almost at the chromosome's end. The regions on either side of the centromere are
referred to as the chromosome's arms. It is usually composed of about sveral million base pairs with
repetitive base sequence.
The centromere has 2 functions. Centromeres help to keep
chromosomes properly aligned during the complex process of cell
division. As chromosomes are copied in preparation for production
of a new cell, the centromere serves as an attachment site for the
spindle microtubules for the two halves of each replicated
chromosome, known as sister chromatids.
The centromere POSITION:

The centromere divides the chromosome into 2 arms. The position of the centromere relative to the ends
helps scientists tell chromosomes apart.
Human chromosomes are classified into 3 types based on
the position of centromere: metacentric, submetacentric
or acrocentric.
In metacentric chromosomes, the centromere lies near

the center of the chromosome.
Submetacentric chromosomes have a centromere that is
off-center, so that one chromosome arm is longer than
the other. The short arm is designated "p" (for petite), and
the long arm is designated "q" (because it follows the letter "p").
In acrocentric chromosomes, the centromere is very near one end.
The CHROMOSOME BODY:

Chromosomes are usually stained with a chemical called Giesma to increase their visibility. This produces a
unique pattern of light and dark bands along the body of chromosome. Each band may contain hundreds of
genes. A gene is a section of DNA that can be transcribed into RNA. Active genes (those that are transcribed
frequently) are located in the light bands. The dark contain
less active genes that are tissue specific (only expressed in a
very specific cell types).
DIPLOID and HAPLOID CELLS

Humans (and other sexually reproducing organisms) contain
two types of cells: diploid(2n) and haploid(n).
These cells differ in their chromosome content.
Diploid cells contain homologous chromosomes (pairs of chromosomes that carry the same complement of
genes with one member of the pair inherited from the father and one from the mother). Chromosomes that
are homologous are almost always the same size, have their centromeres in the same position and carry the
same number and type of genes.
Haploid cells do not contain homologous chromosomes pairs. A haploid cell only contains one member of
each homologous pair. The gamete cells (eggs and sperms) are haploid. Haploid cells thus contain half the
number of chromosomes of diploid cells. Haploid cells are produced by meiotic division.
During sexual reproduction, a diploid cell from each parent undergoes a specialized form of cell division to
produce gamete cells.
AUTOSOMES and SEX CHROOSOMES

In sexually reproducing organisms, there is one pair of chromosomes involved with gender determination.
These are called sex chromosomes. In humans, the sex chromosomes of a female are perfectly homologous
and designated XX. In males, the sex chromosomes are not homologous and designated XY. The X
chromosome contains roughly 2000 genes while the Y chromosome contains roughly 300. A small portion
of the two chromosomes are homologous and in males
they behave as homologous pair.
The homologous chromosome pairs in sexually

reproducing organisms that are not involed in gender
determination are called autosomes.
An autosome is any of the numbered chromosomes, as
opposed to the sex chromosomes. Humans have 22 pairs
of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes (the X
and Y). Autosomes are numbered roughly in relation to
their sizes. That is, Chromosome 1 has approximately
2,800 genes, while chromosome 22 has approximately
750 genes.
KARYOTYPE
A karyotype is an organized profile of a person's chromosomes. Two chromosomes specify sex, XX for
female and XY for male. The rest are arranged in pairs, numbered 1 through 22, from largest to smallest.
This arrangement helps scientists quickly identify chromosomal alterations that may result in a genetic
disorder.
To make a karyotype, the

chromosomes are photographed while
the cell is dividing. The photograph is
enlarged and the image is printed or
scanned into a PC. The scientists can
then cut and paste chromosomes so
that homologous can be paired and
ordered by size. This organization
allows the scientists to search for
defects such as extra or missing
chromosomes, and mutations within
the chromosomes.
Clink on the link below to access an online karyotype activity (optional):

Learn Genetics: Make a karyotype. Available from: https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/basics/karyotype/
Accessed 5/5/21
WORKSHEET QUESTIONS
1. Use arrows to mark the length of the DNA molecule of the smallest human chromosome and the largest
human chromosome on the ruler below.
2.
Label the three major components of the eukaryotic chromosome on the diagram below.
3. Complete the following table for the largest and smallest human chromosome using the link provided in
the worksheet above. You will need to identify the largest and smallest by the picture. Once you do this,
clink on a chromosome and the on Chromosome summary and the information about that chromosome will
appear.
Largest human chromosome Total number of base pairs Total number of genes
(identify it by its number) (length) (add together protein coding,
noncoding and pseudogenes)
Smallest human chromosome Total number of base pairs Total number of genes
4. Explain the relationship between a sister chromatid and a duplicated chromosome. Circle and label a sister
chromatid and duplicated chromosome on the diagram below.
5. Describe the function of each chromosome component in the table below.

Chromosome component: Function:
Gene
Telomere
Centromere
6. Identify the following chromosomes as metacentric, acrocentric or submetacentric. Label the “p” and “q”
arms of each chromosome. The grey circle represents the position of the centromere.
7. Complete the following table comparing and

contrasting diploid and haploid cells.
Description: DIPLOID HAPLOID

n
2n
Homologous chromosome pairs
Formed by mitotic cell division
Formed by meiotic cell division
Includes somatic cells
Includes gametes
8. What are homologous chromosomes?
9. Provide 3 shared features of homologous chromosomes.
10. Why are homologous chromosomes not identical to one another?
11. What are sex chromosomes? What is the sex chromosome combination for human males and females?
12. What are autosomes?
13. What is a karyotype?
14. How is a karyotype made?

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CHROMOSOMES

Watch this video to learn more

DNA learning center: How

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbSIBhFwQ4s&t=74s Accessed: 5/5/21

Study this picture for the DNA packaging in chromosomes.

Humans have 46 chromosomes (or 23 pairs) arranged by size. Use the

Browse a genome. Whole genome. Available from:

The centromere POSITION:

In metacentric chromosomes, the centromere lies near

The CHROMOSOME BODY:

DIPLOID and HAPLOID CELLS

AUTOSOMES and SEX CHROOSOMES

The homologous chromosome pairs in sexually

To make a karyotype, the

Clink on the link below to access an online karyotype activity (optional):

5. Describe the function of each chromosome component in the table below.

7. Complete the following table comparing and

Description: DIPLOID HAPLOID

8. What are homologous chromosomes?

9. Provide 3 shared features of homologous chromosomes.

10. Why are homologous chromosomes not identical to one another?

12. What are autosomes?

13. What is a karyotype?

14. How is a karyotype made?

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