Chromosomes : Organization and Function

Integrating classical knowledge of chromosome organisation with recent molecular and functional findings, this book presents an up-to-date view of chromosome organisation and function for advanced undergraduate students studying genetics. The organisation and behaviour of chromosomes is central to genetics and the equal segregation of genes and chromosomes into daughter cells at cell division is vital. This text aims to provide a clear and straightforward explanation of these complex processes. Following a brief historical introduction, the text covers the topics of cell cycle dynamics and DNA replication; mitosis and meiosis; the organisation of DNA into chromatin; the arrangement of chromosomes in interphase; euchromatin and heterochromatin; nucleolus organisers; centromeres and telomeres; lampbrush and polytene chromosomes; chromosomes and evolution; chromosomes and disease, and artificial chromosomes. Topics are illustrated with examples from a wide variety of organisms, including fungi, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. This book will be valuable resource for plant, animal and human geneticists and cell biologists. Originally a zoologist, Adrian Sumner has spent over 25 years studying human and other mammalian chromosomes with the Medical Research Council (UK). One of the pioneers of chromosome banding, he has used electron microscopy and immunofluorescence to study chromosome organisation and function, and latterly has studied factors involved in chromosome separation at mitosis. Adrian is an Associate Editor of the journal Chromosome Research, acts as a consultant biologist and is also Chair of the Committee of the International Chromosome Conferences. The most up-to-date overview of chromosomes in all their forms. Introduces cutting-edge topics such as artificial chromosomes and studies of telomere biology. Describes the methods used to study chromosomes. The perfect complement to Turner. Cover......Page 1 Inside Cover......Page 3 Copyright......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Preface......Page 8 1. Why study chromosomes?......Page 9 2. Mitosis, meiosis and the cell cycle......Page 13 3. DNA, the genetic code......Page 32 4. Assembly of chromatin......Page 52 5. The chromosomes in interphase......Page 65 6. Structure of mitotic and meiotic chromosomes......Page 78 7 Constitutive heterochromatin......Page 92 8. Sex chromosomes and sex determination......Page 105 9. Imprinting......Page 117 10. Euchromatin and the longitudinal differentiation of chromosomes......Page 125 11. The nucleolus and the nucleolus organizer regions (NORs)......Page 141 12. Centromeres, kinetochores and the segregation of chromosomes......Page 151 13. Telomeres......Page 167 14. Lampbrush chromosomes......Page 179 15. Polytene chromosomes......Page 190 16. Chromosomes, the karyotype and evolution......Page 202 17. Chromosomes and disease......Page 214 18. Chromosome engineering and artificial chromosomes......Page 236 References......Page 247 Index......Page 282 "Integrating classical knowledge of chromosome organization with recent molecular and functional findings, this book presents an up-to-date view of chromosome organization and function for advanced undergraduate students studying genetics. The organization and behaviour of chromosomes are central to genetics and the equal segregation of genes and chromosomes into daughter cells at cell division is vital. This text aims to provide a clear and straightforward explanation of these complex processes. This book will be a valuable resource for plant, animal and human geneticists and cell biologists."--BOOK JACKET. The idea of chromosomes only appeared in the last quarter of the nineteenth century.