Mitotic and meiotic behaviour of axial core structure of holokinetic chromosomes

Abstract

The location of axial core structure in mitotic and meiotic holokinetic chromosomes was studied. In mitotic chromosomes, axial core structure was found to be located laterally in the chromatid, while in meiotic chromosomes, axial core structure was located centrally in the chromatid. The interrelation of structural differences and differences in kinetic behaviour of mitotic and meiotic chromosomes is discussed. Furthermore, it is suggested that the structure of chromosomes is of primary importance in defining chromosome type-monokinetic or holokinetic-and differences in kinetic properties within chromosome type are merely expressions of evolutionary diversity of the distribution of kinetic DNA sequences along the axial system of chromosomes.