Functions of chromosomes

Chromosomes are thread-like structures of proteins and nucleic acids obtained from the nucleus of living cells. The structure carries genetic details of living systems in the form of genes. A chromosome structure is made out of DNA and proteins organised into one’s genes. The deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA coils around proteins known as histones. Thus, chromosomes assist DNA in replication and distribution during cell division. Although, replication and distribution are primary functions of chromosomes in living organisms. 

The thread-like structure of chromosomes subdivides into two parts, i.e., the p arm and the q arm. Consequently, the cells containing 23 chromosomes inherit one pair of chromosomes with the mother and one pair with the father. 

Meaning of Chromosomes 

• Chromosomes refer to the staining ability of specific dyes, often meant with the coloured body. Theodor Boveri and Walter Sutton defined chromosome structure as information carriers of genes in eukaryotic cells in 1902. 
• Often the number of chromosomes varies in different living species. For instance, plants and animals have 8-50 chromosomes in somatic cells. Humans have 23 chromosomes in cells of which 22 are autosomes, and 1 is a sex chromosome. Similarly, nematode consists of 2 chromosome cells, and the protozoan consists of 1600 chromosome cells. 
• Scientists adopt Karyotyping technique to analyse and find abnormalities in the structure of chromosome cells. 

Structure of Chromosomes 

• Chromosomes are presented in an ultrastructure format, consisting of 10000 folds of DNA interactions. The structure then fits in the eukaryotic nucleus with a 10 microns diameter.
• Moreover, the reproduction process increases the shelf-life of chromosomes at their cell division by packaging them tightly with DNA coils. A human body has 23 pairs of chromosomes, making it 46. Only a few cells in the body carry a complete copy of the chromosomes present in the nucleus. 
• As eyeball cells optimise eyeball cells genes and turn off the rest. Therefore, the process goes with every cell. The human body carries one pair of chromosomes from the mother cell and the other from the father cell. 

Types of Chromosomes

There are four significant types of Chromosomes present in living organisms. They are – the metacentric chromosome, submetacentric chromosome, acrocentric chromosome and telocentric chromosome. 

• Metacentric chromosome – In metacentric chromosomes, the centromere is located in the middle. The middle location of the centromere results in chromosomal arms of equal length. A metacentric chromosome consists of an X shape. 

The presence of centromere divides the chromosome into two arms. The short arm is called the p arm, and the more extended arm is called the q arm. The number of chromosomes in human metacentric arms are – chromosome 20, chromosome 19, chromosome 16, chromosome 3 and chromosome 1.  

• Submetacentric chromosomes – Submetacentric are the second necessary type of chromosome. The submetacentric chromosome resides on a sub-median centromere, resulting in unequal length in chromosomal arms. 

Centromere in the submetacentric chromosome consists of specialised DNA sequences packed with heterochromatin. It carries importance in aligning the chromosomes at the metaphase plate. The submetacentric chromosome is generally L-shaped, residing in the middle of the chromosome structure. Humans do not have the submetacentric chromosome in the structure. 

• Acrocentric chromosome – A subterminal centromere location in chromosome structure is called an acrocentric chromosome. The centromere is at the near end of the chromosome structure. 

In humans, the acrocentric chromosomes are the Y chromosome, chromosome 22, chromosome 21, chromosome 15, chromosome 14 and chromosome 13. 

• Telocentric chromosome – Telocentric chromosomes are where the centromere is located at the end of chromosome structure. The p arms of the chromosomes are barely visible following the closeness of the telocentric chromosome. Often, the telocentric chromosomes are not present in humans. 

Functions of Chromosomes 

Chromosomes play a vital role in availing the genetic information of living organisms with the help of its ultrastructure diagram. Below are some functions of chromosomes you need to know. 

• Chromosomes assist in the growth of reproduction, regeneration and repair process, which is an essential survival element. 
• The ultrastructure of the chromosome prevents deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA coils from being damaged and intertwined. 
• Transferring genetic material from one peer group to another is the primary function of chromosome cells. 
• DNA coils around a protein called histones that help in balancing the gene’s impression in living organisms.
• The chromatids that connect with the centromere support the motion of chromosome cells at the time of cell division. 
• Chromosomes have thousands of genes that directly provide codes for various proteins adjacent to living species. 
• DNA present in living organisms assists in controlling innate transfer.
• As chromosomes hold the deoxyribonucleic acid tightly and deliver proteins in eukaryotic cells, they are called “packaging material”. 
• Chromosomes play an essential role in replication, cell division, and the creation of daughter cells as the ultrastructure chromosome helps separate copies by creating new complete sets. 

What are the functions of ribosomes in a cell?

Ribosomes are molecular machines obtained from living species to generate protein from amino acids. The cells of ribosomes can be obtained from the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures. Ribosomes are mainly responsible for transferring RNA (ribonucleic acid) to the ribosome acceptor site. The functions of ribosomes include –

• The primary function of ribosomes is to collect amino acids to obtain proteins in cellular functions. 
• DNA tends to generate ribonucleic acid in the DNA transcription process. 
• Ribosomal units of cytoplasm connect with polymers, after which tRNA manufactures the proteins inside living cells.
• Cytoplasm utilises the proteins harmonized by themselves. The proteins connected with ribosome cells shift outside the cells. 

Conclusion

Chromosomes are an essential ultrastructure of living organisms that helps control and carry the genetic details in the form of genes. The thread-like structure of chromosomes consists of metacentric, submetacentric, acrocentric and telocentric chromosomes. Often the centromere location of these chromosomes determines their concepts and length simultaneously. 

Chromosomes also play an essential role by facilitating genes transfer from one peer group to another. Often, it is the primary function of chromosome cells. 

Moreover, the chromosomes also help living species grow, repair, regenerate and reproduce processes. It can conclude that the coloured body ultrastructure is the critical factor in the overall cell division process of living species present in the atmosphere.