Heterochromatin and Euchromatin Differences, Let’s Beat The Confusion.
Heterochromatin and Euchromatin differ from each other in such a way that heterochromatin is that part of the chromosome that is firm, dark, or condensed DNA stain and is inactive genetically While the euchromatin is non-condensed, or loosely packed gene-rich area and is genetically active.
It is studied that around 90% of the human genome is euchromatin and rest is the heterochromatin. Heterochromatin and euchromatin, these two terms were introduced by Emil Heitz during the year of 1928.
Differences between Heterochromatin and Euchromatin side by side
| Heterochromatin. | Euchromatin. | |
| 1. | It is tightly, firmed, condensed, or darkly stained DNA part residing on the chromosome. | It is a non-condensed, un-firmed or uncoiled, or light stained DNA area residing on the chromosome. |
| 2. | The density f the DNA stain is high in it, so it is darkly stained. | The density of DNA is low in it, so it is lightly stained. |
| 3. | It is a non-transcriptional part that’s why it is called a non-functional part because here transcription is the function. | It transcribes and makes RNA which means it is the transcriptional part and is the non-condensed DNA part. |
| 4. | These are considered to be late replicative. | These are considered to be early or fast replicative. |
| 5. | The sections of heterochromatin are sticky. | The sections of euchromatin are non-sticky. |
| 6. | In the eukaryotic cell, the foundation of it is at the nucleus periphery. | In eukaryotic as well as in prokaryotic cells the foundation of it is in the inner nucleus section. |
| 7. | It does not affect the phenotype f the organism. | It does affect the phenotype of the organism. |
| 8. | It allows gene regulation, gene expression, and structural probity of the cell. | It allows the transcription or ultimately the gene expression. |
What is Euchromatin and where it is found?
Euchromatin is a loosely packed section of chromosomes that transcribe RNA which means it is functional. It includes only 10% of the total human genome rest is the heterochromatin. It is actually found in the distal part of the chromosome.
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