Salt-and-pepper chromatin
Salt-and-pepper chromatin
Salt-and-pepper chromatin (pronunciation: /sɔːlt ænd ˈpɛpər ˌkroʊməˈtɪn/) is a term used in histology to describe the appearance of certain types of nuclei under a microscope. The term is derived from the pattern's resemblance to grains of salt and pepper.
Etymology
The term "salt-and-pepper" is derived from the English words for the common seasonings, referring to the speckled appearance of the chromatin. The term "chromatin" comes from the Greek word "chroma," meaning color, and was coined by German biologist Walther Flemming in the late 19th century.
Description
Salt-and-pepper chromatin is characterized by a fine, granular pattern of chromatin distribution within the nucleus. This pattern is often seen in cells that are active in transcription, such as neurons and endocrine cells. The "salt" refers to the lighter, euchromatic regions, while the "pepper" refers to the darker, heterochromatic regions.
Related Terms
- Euchromatin: The less condensed form of chromatin that is available for transcription.
- Heterochromatin: The more condensed form of chromatin that is generally not transcribed.
- Nucleosome: The basic unit of DNA packaging in eukaryotes.
- Histone: The protein that DNA winds around in eukaryotes.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Salt-and-pepper chromatin
- Wikipedia's article - Salt-and-pepper chromatin
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