Karyotypes
The diagram below shows the karyotype of a normal human. Karyotypes
are prepared from the nuclei of cultured white blood cells that are “frozen” at the
metaphase stage of mitosis. They are matched up from the biggest chromosomes
to the smallest. The bigger the chromosome the more information it carries.
VOCAB:
Nuclei-plural form of nucleus. Many nucleuses.
Cultured cell-a living cell that scientists use in laboratories
White Blood Cell-Cells that are part of the immune system. They protect you from infections.
Vocab practice: Use each word in a separate ORIGINAL sentence
1.
2.
3.
What is the purpose of mitosis?___________________________________________________________
Draw what a cell in metaphase looks like. Make sure to include centrioles, spindle fibers and
chromosomes.
Photographs of the chromosomes are arranged on a grid so that the
homologous pairs are placed together. Homologous pairs are identified by their
general shape, length and the pattern of banding produced by a special staining
technique.
VOCAB:
Chromosome-Made of DNA tightly coiled together. Carries genetic information.
Homologous pairs-Pairs of chromosomes that are the same size, shape, and carry the same
genetic information
Staining technique-A way for scientists to color only the parts of a cell that they are looking for,
in this case, chromosomes.
Vocab practice: Use each word in a separate ORIGINAL sentence
1.
2.
3.
Karyotypes for a human male and female are shown below. The male
karyotype has 44 autosomes, a single X chromosome and a Y chromosome
(written 44 +XY), a female karyotype has 44 autosomes and 2 X chromosomes
(written 44 + XX).
VOCAB:
Autosome-any chromosome that is NOT a sex chromosome. The first 22 pairs of chromosomes
on a karyotype
Label the 2 karyotypes as either male or female
Circle the sex chromosomes
Put a square around the homologous pairs of chromosomes
Males have _________________autosomes and ________ are their sex chromosomes
Females have________________autosomes and ________are their sex chromosomes
1. Explain what a karyotype is and what information you can find________________________________
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Chromosome numbers for different species:
Human
Chimpanzee
Gorilla
Horse
Goldfish
Fruit Fly
Potato
46
48
48
64
94
8
48