Distribution of human chromosomes on the metaphase plate. Symmetrical arrangement in human male cells.

Abstract

SUMMARYTwo linear models have been devised and applied to the study of the distribution of human male chromosomes on the metaphase plate in preparations from lymphocyte cultures not treated with spindle poisons. Using these it has been found that the chromosomes are approximately distributed around a centre of symmetry and that the lines joining the centromeres of homologous chromosomes (i.e. segments) have the centre of symmetry approximately at their mid-point. Thus each chromosome mirrors the position of its homologue relative to the centre of symmetry. The position of each chromosome in the metaphase plate was found to be approximately constant relative to the centre of symmetry and the other chromosomes. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the hypothesis on the distribution of the chromosomes in interphase nuclei and to data on acrocentric associations, acrocentric-non-acrocentric associations and the frequency of the most common translocations.