Euploidy

Euploidy: State of harmony in the chromosome set

Euploidy is a term used to describe the state of cells, tissues, or organisms in which a complete set of chromosomes is present, or each cell contains all the chromosomes of a given set. In such cases, they speak of the presence of harmony and balance in the chromosomes.

To understand euploidy, it is useful to consider it in contrast to the concept of aneuploidy. Unlike euploidy, aneuploidy is characterized by abnormalities in the number of chromosomes. For example, aneuploid cells may have one or more extra copies of chromosomes (triploidy, tetraploidy), or a lack of chromosomes (monosomy, deletion). Such changes in the chromosome set can cause various genetic syndromes and anomalies in the body.

In euploid cells and organisms, on the contrary, a normal and harmonious set of chromosomes is observed. The number of chromosomes in euploid cells can vary depending on the species. For example, humans have a normal number of chromosomes of 46, but some plants or animals may have different sets of chromosomes.

Euploidy can be classified based on the number of complete sets of chromosomes in an organism. If an organism contains one complete set of chromosomes, it is called haploid. An example of haploid cells are sex cells (gametes) in animals and plants. If an organism contains two complete sets of chromosomes, it is called diploid. Diploid cells are present in most tissues and organs in animals and plants.

Euploidy plays an important role in maintaining genetic stability and functioning of organisms. It ensures that genetic material is evenly distributed within cells and allows genetic processes such as DNA replication, meiosis and mitosis to occur correctly. Thanks to euploidy, organisms have a stable set of chromosomes that is passed on from generation to generation.

Although euploidy is considered a normal condition in most organisms, exceptions exist. Some organisms may have altered chromosome sets but are still considered viable. For example, some plant and animal species may have polyploid individuals, having more than two sets of chromosomes. Polyploidy can occur naturally or be the result of genetic changes.

The degree of euploidy can vary among organisms. Polyploidy, when an organism contains more than two complete sets of chromosomes, can be triploidy (three complete sets of chromosomes), tetraploidy (four complete sets of chromosomes), and so on. Polyploid organisms may have advantages such as improved adaptation to the environment or increased disease resistance.

Research on euploidy is important in genetics and medicine. They help us understand how an organism's genetic material is organized and how changes in chromosomes can influence disease development and heredity. For example, some chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, are the result of aneuploidy.

The study of euploidy also has practical applications. In agriculture, polyploid plants are used to create new varieties with better characteristics, such as yield or disease resistance. In medicine, euploidy may be related to the effectiveness of drugs and the body's response to them.

In conclusion, euploidy is a state of harmony and balance in the chromosomal complement of cells, tissues or organisms. It plays an important role in maintaining genetic stability and proper functioning of organisms. The study of euploidy has a wide range of applications and helps us better understand genetic processes and their impact on the health and development of organisms.

Euploid cells are cells containing a complete set of chromosomes, that is, having a diploid set of chromosomes. In this case, all chromosomes are in a normal arrangement, their structure and number are not disturbed, and there are no mutations. Euploidy is a necessary condition for the normal functioning of cellular structures, as it ensures the correct reading of genetic information and its transmission from parents to offspring.

Aneuploidy is the state of cells when they contain an incomplete set of chromosomes (monosomy, trisomy, etc.). This can be caused by various factors, such as disruption of the meiotic process, gene mutations, chromosome damage, or exposure to external factors. Aneuploidization can lead to various pathological conditions, such as developmental disorders, infertility, cancer, etc.

To determine the euploidy of cells, cytogenetic analysis is used, which includes a microscopic examination of the chromosome set of cells. This method allows you to detect the presence of abnormalities in the number or arrangement of chromosomes, which can serve as an indicator of the presence of mutations or other pathological conditions.

Euploidy is one of the key factors determining the normal development of an organism and its ability to reproduce. Therefore, identifying and eliminating possible violations in the set of chromosomes is an important task in the field of genetics and medicine.

Euploidy (from the Greek euplos - “with a good set”) [Note. 1] The cytogenetic definition of euploidy reflects the entire state of the chromosome set, excluding aneuploids and inversions. Euploidy is a diploid normal karyotype without aberrations. It is a necessary condition for the life of the organism; its violation leads to the death of the cell or organism. The closer euploid cells are to metaphase, the better the structural features of their chromosomal DNA are studied. More than 00 species of animals have been described with a complete absence of karyotypes (diploid, tetraploid and other metaploidies) for various reasons. In such cases, they speak of the absence of a karyotype (Cas). An example is the fossil eupleioplasmosis, which does not have a full karyological description[2].