Lampbrush chromosome

Lampbrush Chromosome

Lampbrush Chromosomes are a special type of chromosome found in the germinal vesicle (nucleus) of oocytes of animals, especially amphibians and birds. They were first described by the German biologist Walther Flemming in 1882. The name "lampbrush" comes from their distinctive appearance, which is reminiscent of a brush used for cleaning lamps.

Structure

Lampbrush Chromosomes are large and have a unique structure that allows them to be easily visualized under a light microscope. They consist of a pair of chromatids held together by a centromere. The chromatids are covered in loops of DNA and RNA, which give the chromosomes their characteristic "brushy" appearance.

Function

The primary function of Lampbrush Chromosomes is to facilitate the production of large amounts of RNA. This is necessary for the development of the oocyte into a mature egg cell. The loops of DNA and RNA on the chromosomes are sites of active transcription, where the DNA is being copied into RNA.

Research

Lampbrush Chromosomes have been used in research to study the process of gene expression. Because of their large size and distinctive structure, they are an excellent model for studying the physical organization of genes on a chromosome.

See also

• Chromosome
• Gene expression
• Transcription (genetics)
• Oocyte

References

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