Final answer:
The correct term for the areas between the protein-rich parts of a chromosome and the telomeres is 'subtelomeres'. These regions are distinct and have different structural and functional properties, with telomeres protecting the chromosome ends and subtelomeres serving as transition zones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The area between the protein-rich parts of a chromosome and the telomeres is called the subtelomere. During the phase of the cell cycle known as interphase, eukaryotic chromosomes exhibit two distinct regions, euchromatin and heterochromatin. Euchromatin is less dense and contains genes that are actively transcribed, whereas heterochromatin, which is found at the centromere and telomere regions, is more tightly packed and usually contains genes that are not expressed. The ends of the chromosomes are known as telomeres, which consist of repetitive sequences that do not code for any gene but serve to protect the chromosome ends during cell division. The correct answer to the student's question is B. subtelomeres.