heterochromatin

American  

[het-er-uh-kroh-muh-tin] / ˌhɛt ər əˈkroʊ mə tɪn /

noun

Genetics.

1. the dense, highly stainable part of a chromosome.

---

heterochromatin British  

/ ˌhɛtərəʊˈkrəʊmətɪn /

noun

1. the condensed part of a chromosome that stains strongly with basic dyes in nondividing cells and has little genetic activity Compare euchromatin

---

Etymology

Origin of heterochromatin

First recorded in 1930–35; hetero- + chromatin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heterochromatin

A lower amount of long-lived RNAs caused problems in the heterochromatin architecture and stability of genetic material, eventually affecting the cells' viability.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 4, 2024

They also plan to model a disease called progeria, in which cells have a genetic mutation that leads to loss of heterochromatin.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 16, 2023

The tightly packaged region is known as heterochromatin, and the less dense region is known as euchromatin.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Eukaryote chromosomes are wrapped around histone proteins that create heterochromatin and euchromatin, which is not present in prokaryotes.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Animals also use small RNA-directed DNA methylation and heterochromatin formation mechanisms to maintain the epigenome of the germ line through the use of Piwi-interacting RNAs.

From Nature ● Mar. 13, 2013