Question

To do high resolution banding of chromosomes, what change to the procedure must be made relative to normal G-banding?

A Use more cells
B Lengthen the staining procedure
C Amplify the chromosomes
D Use a more sensitive stain
E Arrest the cells earlier in mitosis

Answer 1

To achieve high resolution banding of chromosomes, cells should be arrested earlier in mitosis, allowing for more detailed visualization of the chromosomes when stained.

Step-by-step explanation:

To do high resolution banding of chromosomes, the procedure must be adapted by arresting the cells earlier in mitosis. This early arrest allows for more detailed banding patterns to emerge when the chromosomes are stained. High-resolution banding typically results in greater than 1000 bands, providing a much finer level of detail compared to the 400-800 bands typically seen with Giemsa staining.

The chromosomes are viewed using bright-field microscopy following staining, which reveals the bands that represent tightly coiled DNA and condensed proteins. Experienced geneticists use high resolution banding to identify subtle chromosomal rearrangements that may not be visible with standard banding techniques.