Heterochromatin is defined as the black part of the chromosome due to a DNA-specific stain and relatively heavy euchromatin, defined as the enriched part of the chromosome in genes that actively participate in the transcription process.
To help you understand how they differ from each other, we have provided a distinction between euchromatin and heterochromatin.
What is Heterochromatin?
Heterochromatin is a tightly packed form of DNA in the nucleus. They are so finely tuned that they are inaccessible to a protein involved in gene expression. It comes in two varieties – the optional contrast version, and the heterochromatic structure version.
What is Euchromatin?
It is a loosely packed form of chromatin. These are valid at the time of writing. It contains 90% of the entire human genome. Housekeeping genes are one form of euchromatin.
These are some of the major differences between euchromatin and heterochromatin.
Difference Between Euchromatin And Heterochromatin
|
Euchromatin |
Heterochromatin |
|
Form |
|
| A loosely packed form of DNA | A tightly packed form of DNA |
|
DNA density |
|
| Low | High |
|
Found |
|
| Prokaryotes as well as eukaryotes | Eukaryotes only |
|
State |
|
| Active | Inactive |
|
Replication |
|
| Early replicative | Late replicative |
|
Sticky/Non-sticky |
|
| Regions are not sticky | Sticky regions |
|
Activity |
|
| Participate in the transcriptional activity | No or little transcriptional activity |
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