Acrocentric Chromosomes

Acrocentric chromosomes are a type of chromosome that have a centromere near one end, resulting in one long arm and one short arm. The shorter and longer arms of acrocentric chromosomes are referred to as the p-arm and q-arm, respectively.

P-Arm

The p-arm is the shorter arm of the acrocentric chromosome, which is located towards the top of the chromosome. This arm is usually stained with a lighter color and contains genetic material that is important for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis.

Q-Arm

The q-arm is the longer arm of the acrocentric chromosome, which is located towards the bottom of the chromosome. This arm is usually stained with a darker color and contains genetic material that codes for various proteins.

Function

Acrocentric chromosomes are important for the proper functioning of cells, as they contain genetic material that is essential for protein and rRNA synthesis. The p-arm is responsible for the synthesis of rRNA, which is important for the formation of ribosomes. The q-arm, on the other hand, contains genetic material that codes for various proteins that are essential for cell function.

Abnormalities

Abnormalities in acrocentric chromosomes can lead to various genetic disorders. For example, individuals with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21, which is an acrocentric chromosome. This extra copy of chromosome 21 can lead to developmental delays and other health problems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the shorter and longer arms of acrocentric chromosomes are referred to as the p-arm and q-arm, respectively. These arms contain genetic material that is essential for protein and rRNA synthesis, and abnormalities in these chromosomes can lead to various genetic disorders.

In case of acrocentric chromosomes, the centromere is positioned at one end of the chromosome in such a way that it produces a very short arm (p) and an exceptionally long arm (q).So the longer and shorter arms are respectively called q and p arms...