Final answer:
Heterochromatin is highly condensed, contains genes that are typically not expressed, and is found at the nucleus periphery including centromeres and telomeres. Euchromatin is less condensed, contains actively transcribed genes, and occupies more central areas of the nucleus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Heterochromatin and Euchromatin
Three main differences between heterochromatin and euchromatin are:
- Level of compaction: Heterochromatin is highly condensed and densely packed, making it appear darker under a microscope after staining, due to the high content of proteins. Conversely, euchromatin is less condensed, appearing lighter after staining as the DNA is wrapped around nucleosomes but not further compacted.
- Gene expression: Heterochromatin typically contains genes that are not actively transcribed, thus considered gene poor. This contrasts with euchromatin, which usually contains actively transcribed genes, making it gene rich.
- Location in nucleus: Heterochromatin is generally found at the periphery of the nucleus, particularly in the regions of the centromere and telomeres, while euchromatin occupies more central portions of the nucleus.
These structural differences between heterochromatin and euchromatin reflect their functional distinctions, with euchromatin being the site of active gene transcription, while heterochromatin remains largely inert.