concept

Balanced translocation 45,XY,t(13;14)

Human cancer cell

Xenopus cancer kidney cells, prometaphase

Unbalanced translocation 46,XY,t(14;21)

Human HeLa cancer cells, prometaphase

Fragile X chromosome, atomic force microscope

Human HeLa cancer cell in early anaphase of mitosis

Human HeLa cancer cells, mitosis

Human HeLa cancer cell chromosome rosettes

Genetics frame of reference - the size of various genetic components, including DNA, a base pair, various sizes of deletions, chromosomes and genes are listed and compared with more familiar objects such as the Solar System, planets, cities, hospitals, wards, and so on.

A deconvolved wide-field fluorescence microscope image of human HeLa cancer cells undergoing mitosis - various stages shown - bottom left, metaphase; top anaphase; bottom right telophase and far right early interphase. The chromosomes show up white with a DAPI stain. The cytoskeleton/spindle microtubules are blue/purple. The red is Aurora B, a protein kinase involved in the polymerisation/depolymerisation of microtubules during mitosis.

Metaphase spread of normal human male chromosomes, showing Y-banding. Light microscope.

Normal human male metaphase, Y banding

Inversion in the X chromosome 46,X,inv(X)9p21.2?q22.3. One of this pair of human X chromosomes contains a segment that has been broken off then rejoined the opposite way round.

Inversion in X chromosome

Human karyotype - acute myelomonocytic leukaemia with eosinophilia (FAb subtype M4E0) inv 16. There is an inversion on chromosome 16.
Image by Dr Fiona Ross.

Acute myelomonocytic leukaemia +eosinophilia

Paracentric inversion 46,XY,inv(5)(q13q15). This male has a chromosomal disorder. Part of one of the arms of chromosome 5 has broken off and rejoined the opposite way round.

Paracentric chromosome inversion

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Chromosome

Images

Catalogue

Human HeLa cancer cells, mitosis

Normal human male metaphase, Y banding

Inversion in X chromosome

Acute myelomonocytic leukaemia +eosinophilia

Paracentric chromosome inversion

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Chromosome

Images

Catalogue

Human HeLa cancer cells, mitosis

Normal human male metaphase, Y banding

Inversion in X chromosome

Acute myelomonocytic leukaemia +eosinophilia

Paracentric chromosome inversion

Wellcome Collection

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