Chromomeres (Gr. Chroma - Color, Meros - Part)

Chromomeres (Gr. Chromium - Color, Meros - Part)

Chromomeres are bead-shaped structures that create the visible structure of chromosomes.

Chromomeres were first described in 1909 by American cytologist Edmund Wilson while studying insect chromosomes under a microscope. He discovered that chromosomes consist of individual structural units that resemble beads on a string. Wilson called these units chromomeres.

Chromomeres are sections of chromosomes that are sequentially located along the chromosomal strand. Each chromomere contains a specific set of genes. Chromomeres differ from each other in size, shape and color when stained.

Studies have shown that chromomeres play an important role in the processes of chromosome conjugation, crossing over and exchange of chromosome sections during meiosis. It is also assumed that chromomeres may be structural units responsible for regulating gene activity in a cell.

Thus, chromomeres are one of the most important components of chromosomes, forming their visible structure and playing a significant role in the processes of heredity and variability. The study of the structure and functions of chromomeres continues to this day using the latest methods of molecular cytogenetics.