Question

A micrograph of matched pairs of human chromosomes can be used to confirm the overall condition of homologous chromosomes in an individual. What is this diagnostic tool called?

Question 9 options:

karyotype

telomere

polygenic trait

twin testing

Answer 1

The answer is karyotype

Step-by-step explanation:

Karyotyping:

• Karyotyping is a diagnostic techniques used to examine an individuals entire set of chromosomes.
• A karyotype is a micrograph that displays all the chromosomes (46) of an indivdual.
• Karyotyping is performed in the following steps:

1. Harvesting dividing cells, particularly in metaphase when chromosomes are at greatest condensation.
2. Stopping the division by using mitotic inhibitors such as colchicine.
3. Staining the chromosomes with Giemsa stain (G- banding) or acridine orange to visualize the chromosomes.

• G-banding stains GC rich regions relatively darker as they are known to contain greater number of genes.
• Karyotyping is most commonly used to detect chromosomal abnormalities.