Forgot this
#SciRiddles 3 - The reveal
Though confined it moves a lot. Made by two sisters, diversified by its brother. Short or long but always constricted. Entwined like spaghetti, compact like a rod.
Did you guess? It's a CHROMOSOME.
Nearly every human cell has 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). Twenty two pairs (1-22) are autosomes and one pair constitutes the sex chromosomes (X or Y; an XX pair for females, an XY pair for males). Half of the 46 will be transmitted to children by each parent.
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#SciRiddles 3 (cont.)
Each chromosome is made of a DNA molecule intertwined with proteins (histones). This chromatin is confined in the cell nucleus in a relaxed structure similar to spaghetti. Only when the cell divides into two daughter cells the compact rod-like structures of chromosomes appear.
The tipically depicted X-shaped for corresponds to a duplicated (replicated) chromosome - made of two sister chromatids.
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#SciRiddles 3 - The reveal (cont.)
Each chromosome of a pair is a homolog of the other allowing them to exchange segments with each other. This crossing-over creates a "new" (diverse) combination of the genes they carry.
A human chromosome may be as large as chromosome 1 (with over 3,000 known genes) or as small as chromosome 21 (with over 400 known genes). However, all of them have a short arm (p) and a long arm (q), and a constriction called centromere.
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#SciRiddles 3 (cont.)
Centromeres allow the chromosomes to bind to fiber-like structures (that form when the cell undergoes division) and move along them towards each daughter.
So why does this matter?
Chromosome anomalies area major cause of pregnancy loss, infertility, birth defects, developmental and intelectual disability, and rare disease. Certain types of cancer, like leukemias, also show specific chromosome abnormalities.
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#SciRiddles 3 (cont.)
Clinical cytogenetics/cytogenomics allows for the study of chromosome form and number as related to human health. For example, it allows for the prenatal detection of syndromes like Down syndrome, caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21.
Some chromosome anomalies are inherited others occur in an individual for the first time. Even abormalities that don't cause significant health issues for the individual may cause them in their children.
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#SciRiddles 3 (cont.)
Therefore, when in doubt genetic counseling by a certified professional is very important.
⚠️ Always remember that your genetic information is personal, confidential, and may only be shared with your explicit consent.
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