You are interested in expression of regions of the X chromosome at different times in human fetal development. You hypothesize that large regions of the X chromosomes will be expressed at times when parts of the reproductive organs are developing

What structural and chemical characteristics of the X chromosome might you look at over time to determine when expression of genes on the X chromosome is enhanced or repressed?
What will be an ideal response?


Answer: Answers will vary, but should include examining the X chromosome for the presence or amount of euchromatin versus heterochromatin by staining, electron microscopy, or nuclease digestion. Chemically, the relative amount of methylation or acetylation of histones within regions of the X chromosomes could also be examined over time. More euchromatin and acetylation would indicate more "open" or actively expressed DNA; heterochromatin and increased amounts of methylation of histones and DNA would indicate "closed" chromatin or gene silencing.

Biology & Microbiology

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