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Thinking question (note: methodology is irrelevant for this question, so do not think about it): the sequences of a particular set of genes are found by in situ hybridization to be heterochromatic in some cell types and euchromatic in different cell types. How would these sequences be categorized (what would be your conclusion about these sequences in respect to gene expression)?

A) Highly expressed genes
B) Silent genes
C) Tissue-specific genes
D) Housekeeping genes

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The sequences that are heterochromatic in some cell types and euchromatic in others would be best categorized as tissue-specific genes. This is because their expression depends on the cell type and the chromatin state, aligning with tissue-specific gene expression patterns.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sequences of a particular set of genes that are heterochromatic in some cell types and euchromatic in different cell types would be categorized as tissue-specific genes (C). This categorization is based on the principle that euchromatin is associated with actively transcribed genes, whereas heterochromatin typically contains genes that are not expressed. The fact that these sequences exhibit euchromatin or heterochromatin states in different cell types suggests that their expression is regulated depending on the cell type, indicating a tissue-specific pattern of gene expression.

Housekeeping genes, on the other hand, are constitutively expressed because they are necessary for the basic functions of the cell. The pattern observed for the sequences in question does not align with the constant expression exhibited by housekeeping genes. It also does not suggest that these genes are always silent or highly expressed as they do change expression status depending on the cell type.

User Ganesh Giri
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