9+ Aquatic Biome Examples: Detailed Explanations

aquatic biomes

Aquatic biome is the largest of all other biomes (about 75% of the earth’s surface) and a region of the biotic community that refers to the water resources- Aqua meaning Water

Here is the list of few Aquatic Biome Examples

In general water biome or the aquatic biome is of two types only which are

Based on the salinity these two have been categorized.

Aquatic Biome examples- Freshwater biome:

  • The water that has less salinity or salt content or to be known for the best free of salt content, this type of the water resource is called the freshwater biome, which is generally utilized for drinking purposes.

Whereas,

Aquatic Biome examples- Marine water biome:

  • The water that has more salt content or salinity falls under the marine biome category, which we already know the sea water is the best example for the marine biome.

With respect to the components that are present in the freshwater as well as the marine water almost the components present are similar in the water that is present in the earth that is in both freshwater and marine water.

But yes, there is a difference in the concentration of the components present.

Though both have the same components, the concentration of components such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, chloride, sulfur and some other ingredients are found to be higher in marine water and in less amount in freshwater.

Approximately, the freshwater has less than 1% salt content in them.

Now we will detailly look into the aquatic biome example.

We already saw that, in general water biomes or the aquatic biome is of two types ( Freshwater biome, Marine water biome) but they subdivided into many, this article is completely on the subdivision of the aquatic biome example.

Freshwater aquatic biome examples- STREAM:

  • Streams are the water resources that are often misunderstood as rivers.
  • Streams are under freshwater biomes.
  • Rivers are called the larger streams.
  • Streams are usually shallow rivers yet aggressive.
  • Streams are the ideal water resources for drinking water, crop irrigation and also the wash away waste due to the shallow nature and also the water in the stream aids in generating the electricity which is called the hydropower
  • Hydro- water; power- electric current.
  • Streams are also called the lotic system.
  • The plants present in the streams are Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), cattail (Typa latifolia), bladderwort (Utricularia macrorhiza), Dwarf spikerush (Eleocharis parvula), Common waterweed (Egeria densa), Pond weed (Potamogeton crispus L), Eel-grass (Zostera L.), Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersumis), Vallisneria.
  • The animals present in the streams are freshwater mussels, crayfish, larval insects, snakes, lizards, salamanders, and frogs.
aquatic biome examples
Streams
Image credits- Pixabay

Freshwater aquatic biome examples- RIVER:

  • Rivers are the largest streams.
  • River is under freshwater biomes.
  • Their features are quite similar to the streams.
  • The plants present in the streams are Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), cattail (Typa latifolia), bladderwort (Utricularia macrorhiza), Dwarf spikerush (Eleocharis parvula), Common waterweed (Egeria densa), Pond weed (Potamogeton crispus L), Eel-grass (Zostera L.), Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersumis), Vallisneria.
  • The animals present in the rivers are American Alligators, Blue Crabs, Amazon River Dolphins, American Eels, Diving Bell Spiders, Red-Eared Slider Turtles, Belted Crayfish, River Otters, Brazos Water Snakes, Chain Pickerel, Blue Catfish, River Frogs, Eurasian Beavers, Diving Ducks, River Dragonflies.
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River
Image Credits- Pixabay

Freshwater aquatic biome examples- POND:

  • A Pond is a region which is filled with standing or stagnant water and vegetation takes place here. 
  • Pond loses water during the evaporation process.
  • Due to the evaporation process, most of the time it remains dry.
  • The plants in the ponds are Water Poppies, Dwarf Cattails, Corkscrew Rush, Moneywort, Yellow Iris, Thalia, Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce, Water Lillies, Lotus, Cabomba.
  • The animals in the ponds are  3-Spined Stickleback, American Toad, Beavers, Blackbirds, Caddisflies, Canada Geese, Catfish, Dragonflies, Earthworms, Frogs, Herons, Kingfishers, Koi Fish, Largemouth Bass, Leech, Mallard Duck, Mayflies, Minnows, Moles, Muskrats, Newt, Otters, Yellow Perch, Pond Skaters (aka Water Striders), Pond snail, Salamanders, Sculpin, Snapping Turtle, Ramshorn Snail, Tadpoles, Water Beetles, Water Scorpion, Water Shrew.
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Pond
Image credits- Wikimedia

Freshwater aquatic biome examples- LAKE:

  • Lake is a small depression in which it is water filled and not linked to an ocean.
  • Lake is under freshwater biomes.
  • Lakes are categories on the basis of nutrients and sediment accumulation. They are Oligotrophic, Eutrophic, Mesotrophic.
  • Few plants present in the lake aquatic biome are Duckweed, Watermeal, Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce, Milfoil, Hydrillia, Curly-Leaf Pondweed.
lake
Lake
Image credits- Flickr

Freshwater aquatic biome examples- FRESHWATER WETLANDS:

  • Freshwater wetlands develop in a region or a spot where there is standing water and the fertility of the soil is relatively low.
  • There are usually 4 types of freshwater wetlands, they are Ponds, Marshes, Swamps, and Peat bogs.
  • A Pond is a region which is filled with standing or stagnant water and vegetation takes place here. 
  • A Marsh is usually located near a river biome.
  • Swamps can support well defined trees, tall shrubs, herbs and mosses.
  • A Peat bog is a not well drained area that is covered by moss.

Marine aquatic Biome examples – SALT MARSHES:

  • Salt Marsh is similar to the freshwater marsh but here the water that is situated in this location is salt water not freshwater.
  • The plants that grow in the salt marsh are Saltgrass, Saltmarsh Bulrush, Saltwort, Woody Glasswort, Beach Tea.
  • The animals that dwell in salt marshes are Blue Crab, Stone Crab, Hermit Crab, Mud Crab, Fiddler Crab, Horn Shell, Mussel, Grass Shrimp, American Eel, Gulf Killifish, Mosquitofish.

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Freshwater aquatic biome examples- ESTUARY:

  • Estuary is a junction that is situated in the mouth of the river and it remains the spot where it gets connected to the ocean or the sea.
  • The plants that are present in the estuary are Douglas Aster, Eelgrass, Fathen Saltbrush, Gumweed, Pickleweed, Red Algae, Saltgrass, Sea Lettuce.
  • Other creatures present in the estuary are American Coot, American Wigeon, Black-bellied Plover, Black Brant,, Bald Eagle, Canada Goose ,Caspian Tern, Common Goldeneye, Dunlin, Great-blue Heron, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser, Yellowlegs, Peregrine Falcon, Red-breasted Merganser, Western Gull, Western Sandpiper, Harbor Seal, River Otter, Bent-nosed Clam, Blood Star, Brooding Sea Anemone, Bubble Shell, Dungeness Crab, Hermit Crab, Hooded Nudibranch, Lugworm, Mud Shrimp, Native Littleneck Clam, Opalescent Nudibranch, Orange Striped, Jellyfish, Purple Shore Crab, Scallop, Skeleton Shrimp, Stalked Jellyfish, Sunflower Star, Bay Pipefish, Chinook Salmon, Chum Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, Pacific Sculpin, Shiner Perch, Starry Flounder, Damsel Fly, Green Darner.

Marine aquatic Biome examples – MANGROVE SWAMP:

  • Mangroves are a salty region which is situated in the tropical and subtropical region.
  • The living creatures in mangroves are Barnacles, oysters, mussels, sponges, worms, snails and small fish, crabs, jellyfish and juvenile snappers, jacks, red drums, sea trout, tarpon, sea bass, snook, sea bass.

Marine aquatic Biome examples – INTERTIDAL ZONES:

  • Intertidal zone is an interesting region in the ocean where the high tide and low tide meet.
  • The plants in this region are seaweed, sea lettuce, sea palms, and green algae.
  • The animals in this region are anemones, barnacles, chitons, crabs, green algae, isopods, limpets, mussels, sea lettuce, sea palms, sea stars, snails, sponges, and whelks.

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Marine aquatic Biome examples  -CORAL REEFS:

  • A calcium carbonate rich region in the underwater ocean which has a lot of corals.
  • Plants in the coral reef region are zooxanthellae, algae and seagrasses
  • The animals in this region are Fish, corals, lobsters, clams, seahorses, sponges, and sea turtles

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5 Biome Examples: Detailed Explanations

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Biome is a specific naturally occurring area in the earth in which the animal and plants dwell in. A Biome is a region which is also called the major life zone.

The biome examples or types of biome are

There can be many examples with respect to biomes, but the major biome examples are these 5 which are mentioned in this article briefly.

Aquatic Biome Examples:

  • Aqua or Aquatic means water or related to water.

In Aquatic biome, there are 2 types based on their salinity.

Biome examples
Aquatic Biome
Image Credits- Pixabay

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Freshwater Biome:

  • Freshwater biome is a region in which the water resource is less saline or the salt content in the water is very low or completely free of salt.

Examples of freshwater biome:

  • The examples of the freshwater biomes are lakes, streams, rivers, creeks.
  • Most of the aquatic plants and animals can survive only in the freshwater as it has less salt or is completely free of salt.
  • In freshwater, there are 2 categories which are flowing water that is the rivers and streams and the stagnant or standing water which is the ponds and lakes.

Marine Water Biome:

  • Marine water biome is the sea water or the ocean.
  • The marine water biome is the water region in which the water salt content is very high.
  • The five most important marine water biomes are Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Pacific, Arctic marine water biomes.

Grassland Biome Examples:

  • The morphological structure of the grasslands are predominantly based on the grasses, it has a dry weather with moderate rain at times.
  • The weather is dry as they struggle in supporting the growth of trees. 
  • Classification or examples of the Grassland Biome are Temperate grasslands, Tropical grasslands, Steppe grasslands
  • The grassland biome is present at mid-latitudes.
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Grassland Biome
Image Credits- Pixabay

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Forest Biome Examples:

  • Forest biome is the largest and most critical terrestrial biome
  • Forest biome is the region dominated by trees and other woody vegetation
  • Forest biome is one of the regions which is very beneficial for living beings as it has trees which produce a good amount of oxygen.
  • But nowadays activities like deforestation for logging, agriculture, and human habitation in this region are getting destroyed.
  • Forest biome habitats or examples are Temperate Forests, Tropical Forests, Boreal Forests.
  • Examples of Animals in the Forest Biome are Pine Marten (Martes martes), Gray Wolf (Canis lupus), Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei), Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus).

Taiga Biome:

  • Taiga biome is also called the boreal forest.
  • Taiga meaning forest in Russian language.
  • Taiga biome can be explained Evergreen trees, Cold weather, Dry climate, Thin layer of soil.
  • Animals in taiga biome include elk, roe deer, wood bison, the beaver, the North American porcupine, the snowshoe hare, the mountain hare, the Canada lynx, the Siberian weasel, the Siberian tiger, the brown bear, moose, caribou, and the Eurasian lynx.
  • In case of plants– needleleaf, coniferous trees have been predominantly seen in taiga biome.
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Desert Biome
Image Credits- Pixabay

Desert Biome Examples:

  • This region has very little rainfall
  • Temperature variation takes place between day and night and the difference is more.
  • Due to high temperature high evaporation rates can be witnessed
  • The dry weather and coarse-textured soil can be spotted.
  • In this region drought-resistant vegetation is seen
  • The classification or examples of the desert biome is Arid deserts (very hot temperature)), Semi-arid deserts (not that hot temperature)), Coastal deserts (tropical region temperature)), Cold deserts (cold temperature)
  • Animals of the Desert Biome may include: Desert kangaroo rat (Dipodomys deserti), Coyote (Canis latrans), Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), Sonoran Desert Toad (Incilius alvarius), Meerkat, Pronghorn, Rattlesnake, Banded Gila Monster, Cactus wren, Javelina, Thorny devil.

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Tundra Biome Example:

  • Tundra biomes have extremely cold climates.
  • Due to very low and cold temperatures, comparatively Low biotic diversity is seen here.
  • As the temperature is very low only simple vegetation structure is observed.
  • The drainage system is limited in tundra biomes.
  • A minimal season of growth and reproduction is seen as they dwell in cold weather.

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5 Incomplete Dominance Example: Detailed Explanations

Incomplete dominance is a concept in which the produced offspring show partial expression of both the parents like red flower and white flower plant is cross bred and the resultant flowering plant show pink flowers.

Here are the list of Incomplete Dominance Example

Incomplete dominance can be easily understood as it is a blend of both the parental characteristics/ features/ traits.

Incomplete Dominance Example in Plants- Four o’clock flowering plant

  • Four o’clock plant is one of the best examples for incomplete dominance.
  • The scientific name of the Four o’clock flowering plant is Mirabilis jalapa.
  • The Four o’clock flowering plant produces flowers in two colors.
  • One is red and the other is white color.
  • When these 2 color flowering plants are cross bred, it does not produce white or red color instead it produces pink color.
  • The offspring showed a blend of both the parental characteristics.
incomplete dominance example
Four o’clock flowering plant
Image credits- Wikimedia

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Incomplete Dominance Example in Humans-Shape and texture of hair

  • Another best and lively example for incomplete dominance is the shape and texture of hair in humans.
  • We know that incomplete dominance is the blend of both the parental features.
  • Lets see a example here, Bob and Mary have a beautiful daughter called Alice
  • Bob has curly thick hair and Mary has straight hair which is thin
  • Alice has beautiful wavy hair that is straight from the roots and moderately curly from the mid to the ends.
  • So this is called the incomplete dominance in case of the shape and texture of hair in humans.
  • Alice has got the straight hair from her mom, Mary and the mid till end which is curly from her father.
  • So both the parental traits are blended here and this is why it is called the incomplete dominance.

Incomplete Dominance Example in Humans-Pitch of the voice

  • The pitch of the voice also matters here a lot, the same as hair shape and texture.
  • There can be a blend of one parent’s shrill voice and one parent’s soft voice and the resultant child may have a perfect tone in the pitch of his/ her voice.

Incomplete Dominance Example in Humans- Color of the skin

  • The Incomplete Dominance Example in Humans on the basis of the skin can be easily explained.
  • Father is dark skinned and mother is fair skinned, when the child born is in lighter shade of brown or sandy color, this is one of the best examples of incomplete dominance based on skin color.

Incomplete Dominance Example in Animals- Fur texture

  • The texture and color of the fur in cats dogs and horses specifically shows incomplete dominance frequently when compared to other animals.
  • Incase of chicken and other birds, the shape and feathery features also exhibit incomplete dominance.
  • In rabbits, when a long fur and short fur rabbit is bred the offspring will be a medium fur rabbit.
  • In certain birds, when a black male organism and white female organism is bred the resultant offspring will be in blue tinted color feather, this is because of the dilution gene that dilutes the melanin pigment production and blends both the gene.

Incomplete dominance examples in humans-Eye

  • A good example of incomplete dominance is color of eye
  • Brown eye color is considered the most dominant eye color gene
  • Blue eye color is considered the recessive eye color gene
  • The presence of golden brown iris is considered to be incomplete dominance as it is a blend of two colors.
  • The manufacturing of both eumelanin and pheomelanin results in this color here.
Light brown eye
Golden Brown Eye
Image Credits- Wikimedia

Incomplete dominance example punnett square

  • Punnett square is a diagram which is square in shape and it is used to predict the possible traits of the offspring of different characteristic parents.
  • Please have a look at this square diagram of Punnett square
  • When a red flower is cross bred with white flowers, the resultant offspring plant has a blended characteristic of both parents.
  • Red + White = White
  • Red color flower is denoted as R R
  • White color flower is denoted as r r
  • R R + r r = Rr
  • Where Rr is  White color flower
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Punnett Square- Incomplete dominance
Image credits- Wikimedia

Incomplete dominance example blood group:

  • Blood group shows codominance and not incomplete dominance.
  • We know that incomplete dominance is the blend of characteristics that result in a unique trait or feature.
  • In codominance is when the expression of both the alleles in a gene happen completely
  • Eg: father is A positive, mother is B positive the result child may be (probability bases) AB positive.
  • Here there is blending of AB but A is individually expressed B is individually expressed. There is no new group in which both have blended and formed a group. A and B are individually expressed
  • This is why blood group fall under codominance and not in incomplete dominance

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Incomplete dominance ratio

  • The ratio of incomplete dominance is 1:2:1
Mendelian inheritance 1 2 1
1:2:1
Image credits- Wikimedia
  • In F2 generation the red, pink, white flowers ratio is 1:2:1

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11 Pleiotropy Example: Detailed Explanations

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Pleiotropy is a phenomenon in which one single gene shows or expresses multiple features or characteristics or traits.

Here are few Pleiotropy example

Now let’s see all these examples in detail

Pleiotropy example
Pleiotropy
Image credits- Pixabay

Vestigial Gene and the Fruit Flies

  • Vestigial gene is a gene majorly responsible for the wing formation in fruit flies.
  • The fruit fly with this vestigial gene defect will not be able to fly with its wings as they are really short.
  • This defect is found in the second chromosome.
  • The form of mutation is called the recessive mutation. 
  • 2 genes are present in the second chromosome, if one gene is healthy and the other is defective, the healthy wings will develop.
  • Only if both the genes are defective, they develop as defective wings.
  • This is why it is known as recessive mutation.
  • From the above description, we can say that one gene shows or expresses multiple traits or features and this is one of the best examples for Pleiotropy.
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Fruit fly
Image credits- Wikimedia

Sickle cell Anemia:

  • Sickle cell anemia is a condition in which the RBC in human body are misshapen.
  • Usually the RBCs are in the shape of disc, but due to this condition they shape is something like a sickle.
  • The ultimate role of RBC is to carry the oxygen molecules throughout the body.
  • The problem arises in the mutation of the beta-globin gene where the misshapen RBC starts emerging.
  • As there is a difference in the shape, there will be a block in the flow in veins and the role of the RBC will not be able to perform due to the sickle shape RBC.
  • This will eventually lead to blocking of the RBCs to the other parts of the body.
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Sickle cell Anemia
Image credits- Wikimedia

Phenylketonuria:

  • This is a perfect example of Pleiotropy in which one single gene produces multiple traits.
  • This is a genetic disorder in which a child is born with a defect, that is the child has a defective gene in which they are not able to produce an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase.
  • This enzyme breaks down an amino acid called  phenylalanine in the blood.
  • When there is an issue in the secretion of this enzyme it leads to multiple defects in the central nervous system.

Frizzled feather trait:

  • This Frizzled feather trait is seen in chickens.
  • Usually the feather of a chicken is flat, but due to the defect in the gene responsible for feather formation, the feathers are outwardly curled.
  • They also produce an accelerated metabolism and fattened organs which is life threatening.
  • Due to this condition the chicken won’t be able to maintain the homeostasis.
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Frizzle Feather
Image credits- Wikimedia

Achondroplasia:

  • Achondroplasia is a condition which is also called dwarfism.
  • The dwarfism occurs when there is a mutation in the FGFR3 gene.
  • FGFR3 gene is responsible for the maintenance and development of the bones and brain tissue.
  • When the gene FGFR3 shows a different trait than the normal one it leads to dwarfism in the organism.

Acromegaly:

  • Acromegaly is a condition in which the growth hormone is produced so much that leads to gigantism or in simple words excessive growth.
  • It leads to enlargement of cartilages, bones, and other organs.
  • Few studies showed that the GNAS gene is responsible for this somatic mutation and causes this condition.

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Albinism:

  • Albinism is a condition that is due to the presence of the pleiotropic gene that has been produced by the genetic changes or the mutation in the TYR gene also called the tyrosinase gene.
  • The primary role of the TYR gene is the production of melanin which is a pigment that is produced in the skin.
  • Mutation in the TYR gene and the expression shows different traits than usual lead to the condition called Albinism.

Austin Syndrome:

  • Austin syndrome is also called Multiple sulfatase deficiency or mucosulfatidosis.
  • In this condition, mutation takes place in the gene responsible for the lysosomal storage due to the deficiency of various sulfatase  enzymes.

Schizophrenia:

  • It is a mental disorder in which many genes are involved in developing this condition.
  • Studies show that mutation in AKT1, COMT, YWHAE, chromosome 22, ABCA13, C4A, DGCR2, DGCR8, DRD2, MIR137, NOS1AP, NRXN1, OLIG2, RTN4R, SYN2, TOP3B, ZDHHC8 may cause Schizophrenia.

Marfan syndrome:

  • Marfan syndrome is a condition that affects the connective tissues present all over the body.
  • Mutation in the FBN1 gene leads to this condition. FBN1 gene role is to produce a specific protein called fibrillin-1 to produce the connective tissue.
  • When the pleiotropic gene FBN1 shows various characteristics, marfan syndrome arises.

Deafness and pigmentation in cats:

  • One specific gene is responsible for the pigmentation in cats.
  • Due to the pleiotropic gene presence, it not only affects the pigmentation but also the hearing capacity in cats which leads to deafness and also abnormal pigmentation.
  • MITF, PMEL, KIT, EDNRB, CDH23, TYR, and TRPM1 are the genes responsible for Deafness and pigmentation in cats.

Frizzle traits in cats or the Feline frizzle trait:

  • The frizzle trait in cats is similar to the Frizzled feather trait in chicken.
  • Due to mutation, the gene becomes a pleiotropic gene and curling of the cat fur happens leading to the frizzle trait in cats.

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Cystic Fibrosis:

  • Cystic fibrosis is a condition in which excessive mucus which is thick and sticky are formed around the organs.
  • The gene CFTR when mutated forms the condition- Cystic Fibrosis in which the blockage of chloride channels takes place and thus leading to accumulation of ions and water across the cell membranes.

Summary of the 12+ Pleiotropy Example:

  • Vestigial Gene and the Fruit Flies- Mutation in the Vestigial gene
  • Sickle cell Anemia- Mutation in the beta-globin gene
  • Phenylketonuria- Mutation in the PAH gene
  • Frizzled feather trait- Deletion in the KRT75L4 gene
  • Achondroplasia- Mutation in FGFR3 gene 
  • Acromegaly- Mutation in GNAS gene 
  • Albinism- Mutation in the TYR gene
  • Austin syndrome- Mutation in SUMF1 gene
  • Schizophrenia- Mutation in AKT1, COMT, YWHAE, chromosome 22, ABCA13, C4A, DGCR2, DGCR8, DRD2, MIR137, NOS1AP, NRXN1, OLIG2, RTN4R, SYN2, TOP3B, ZDHHC8.
  • Marfan syndrome – Mutation in FBN1 gene
  • Deafness and pigmentation in cats- Mutation in MITF, PMEL, KIT, EDNRB, CDH23, TYR, and TRPM1.
  • Frizzle traits in cats or the Feline frizzle trait- REX mutation
  • Cystic Fibrosis- Mutation in CFTR gene

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Calvin Cycle Process: Step by Step Facts And Diagram

calvin cycle

Many complex reactions are needed in order to survive. Yes, many reactions and mechanisms have been processed in each cell of every living organism to sustain on this planet.

The Calvin cycle process calvin cycle steps is a mechanism that happens only in the photosynthetic organism. The Calvin cycle process is a major and complex process in the photosynthetic organism as it aids in the production of the carbohydrate molecule which is the basic energy source of the organism. 

Photosynthesis is a process in which the organism that are capable of photosynthesis or the photosynthetic organism  makes ready of their fuel for survival.

The photosynthesis process takes place in 2 steps.

The light dependent reaction involves light from the sun- solar energy to produce NADPH  and ATP molecules.

ADP + NADP + H2O → ATP +NADPH + H ion + O2

The light independent reactions do not involve light, that is they happen in the absence of light in which the NADPH– nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and ATP– Adenosine triphosphate from the light dependent process is utilized along with the atmospheric carbon- di-oxide to form carbohydrate molecule- Glucose.

calvin cycle process calvin cycle steps
Stoma- Chloroplast
Image Credits- Flickr

ATP + NADPH + CO2 → ADP + NADP + Glucose

The Calvin cycle process is a sequence of processes that happens post light dependent reaction.

light independent reaction example
Photosynthesis
Image Credits- Pixabay

What are the Calvin cycle process Calvin cycle steps?

The Calvin cycle is also called a light independent reaction as it does not involve any light source.

There are 3 phases/ stages in Calvin cycle

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Calvin cycle diagram:

Simplified photorespiration diagram
Calvin cycle diagram
Image credits- Wikimedia

Calvin cycle equation:

The overall calvin cycle chemical equation is:

3 CO2 + 6 NADPH + 5 H2O + 9 ATP → glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) + 2 H+ + 6 NADP+ + 9 ADP + 8 Pi (where Pi is inorganic phosphate)

Explanation of the equation:

  • The carbon- di-oxide molecule in the atmosphere will be captured- CO2
  • The end output of light dependent reaction of photosynthesis – NADPH- nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and ATP
  • Along with the water that is present in the soil/ ground – H2o
  • Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate or G3P, Hydrogen ion or H, Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate or NADP, Adenosine di-phosphate or ADP and Pi which is the phosphate.

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Carbohydrate formation in Calvin cycle:

Phase- I – Carbon Fixation:

  • In the phase-1 that is carbon fixation, a carbon-di-oxide or the CO2 molecule from the atmosphere merges or linkes itself with a 5-C or 5-carbon acceptor molecule which is called the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate or shortly known as RuBP.
  • So now 1c or 1 carbon from the carbon dioxide merges with the 5C or 5 Carbon acceptor molecule, the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate and the product is a 6C or 6 carbon atom.
  • The six-carbon compound is then broken into 2 molecules, 3 carbon compounds each which is called the 3-phosphoglyceric acid or 3-PGA.
  • This reaction is accelerated by the enzyme RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase, also known as RuBisCO which is also a catalyst in this reaction. 
  • RuBisCo plays a vital role in the photosynthesis process and noted to be one of the abundant enzyme on earth.
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Carbon fixation
Image Credits- Flickr

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Reduction in Calvin cycle

Phase- II – Reduction:

  • The second phase of the Calvin cycle involves the reduction process.
  • Here the 3-PGA molecules that has come from the carbon fixation process are then transformed or broken down into smaller molecules of a simple sugar called the  glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate (G3P).
  • 3-PGA – glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate (G3P)
  • Further this reaction uses energy from ATP-Adenosine triphosphate and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) produced from the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. The molecules that are obtained from the solar energy are converted into simple sugars here for storage.
  • This stage is known as “reduction” process as the NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) molecule gifts electrons to the 3-phosphoglyceric acid molecules to combine and formulate glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate
  • Note: In chemistry, the process of donating electrons is called “reduction,” while the process of taking or gaining electrons is called “oxidation.”
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Carbon reduction
Image Credits- Flickr

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Calvin cycle products

Phase- III- Regeneration of Ribose 

  • Few glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate molecules are assigned to make glucose, while the rest should be recycled to revitalize the five-carbon RuBP compound that is used to accept new carbon molecules in the phase- I.
  • The regeneration process needs ATP. It is a tedious mechanism involving multiple steps.
  • As it takes six carbon molecules to produce or build up a glucose molecule, this flow must be duplicated or redo six times in cycle to make one single molecule of glucose.
  • To succeed and result in the flow of process in this equation 5 out of six,  glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate molecules that are fabricated through the Calvin cycle are regenerated or renewed to form RuBP molecules. 
  • The sixth leaves the reaction or the cycle to aim for one half of a glucose molecule.

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Frequently Asked Question on Calvin cycle process and Calvin cycle steps:

The Calvin cycle is known as a dark reaction, so what- Does this happen at night?

The Calvin cycle has many names like light independent process, calvin benson cycle or dark reaction of photosynthesis.

No, the calvin cycle does not happen at night. It just does not use light energy for further product generation that doesn’t mean it happens at night.

The calvin cycle takes place in the stromal region of the chloroplasts organelle.

What is the end product of the Calvin cycle?

Glucose is the end product of the Calvin cycle

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Light Independent Reaction Example: Detailed Facts

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Photosynthesis is a unique and complex mechanism in which the photosynthetic organisms prepare their food for survival; one of them is the light independent reaction.

In this article we will see the complex reaction and the light independent reaction example:

Photosynthesis is a process in which the photosynthetic organism captures the solar energy from the sun and the atmospheric carbon- di- oxide and water present in the earth ground to produce oxygen molecules and energy molecules for survival.

light independent reaction example
Photosynthesis
Image Credits- Pixabay

So, What is exactly a light independent reaction?

There are many complex reactions happening in every living organism and their requirements are different.

In photosynthesis, there are 2 processes.

  • Light- dependent process
  • Light- Independent process

Light dependent is a process in which the photosynthetic organism uses light to produce certain essential products.

Light independent reaction is a complex reaction taking place in photosynthetic organisms that do not require light or happens in the absence of light.

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This light independent photosynthetic reaction is a follow up process of the light dependent reaction, as the products of light dependent reaction such as NADPH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate) and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)  are used to prepare the energy molecules like glucose and carbohydrate molecules.

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Photosynthetic Light Independent Reaction or the Light Independent Reaction of photosynthesis:

  • The Photosynthetic Light Independent Reaction happens in the organelle chloroplast in the stroma region.
  • Here they react with NADPH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate) and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) along with certain enzymes.
  • Thus leading to the formation of the carbon molecules such as glucose from the atmospheric carbon- di- oxide.
  • The photosynthetic Light Independent Reaction or the Light Independent Reaction of photosynthesis is also called the light reaction of photosynthesis or the photosynthetic photoreaction process.

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Calvin Cycle:

  • From the light-dependent reactions the solar energy that is obtained from the sun is used and NADPH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate) and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) molecules are produced. 
  • Now, this NADPH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate) and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) molecules are used as the fuel in the light-independent reactions to form carbohydrate molecules or to be more precise- glucose molecules.
  • The carbohydrate molecules or the glucose molecules need carbon atoms to produce energy and this carbon they get from the atmospheric carbon dioxide present in the environment.
  • The process involves- diffusion of the atmospheric carbon- di- oxide into the stomata of the photosynthetic organisms.
  • So this calvin cycle or the light independent reaction process is a sequence of reactions that happens after the light dependent process as they end products of the light dependent process- NADPH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate) and ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) are used to make glucose (carbohydrate) molecules.
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Stoma- Chloroplast
Image Credits- Flickr

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The Calvin-Benson Cycle:

  • The Calvin-Benson Cycle is also known as the Calvin cycle.
  • The calvin cycle is the only preferred term used all over the world but still there are many synonyms for the calvin cycle.
  • The other terms of the Calvin cycle are Calvin-Benson Cycle, Benson-Calvin Cycle, and the Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle.

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The Dark Reaction:

  • From the name, we can conclude that this reaction does not require light and happens only in dark- Dark reaction.
  • Apart from photosynthesis, there is another process called the photorespiration which happens simultaneously.
  • There are three phases of dark reaction which is the fixation of carbon, reduction of carbon, regeneration of RuBp-Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate.

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Genetic Diversity In Meiosis: What, How, Causes And Detailed Facts

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Genetic diversity is a concept in which the variety of characteristic features of one specific organism present on the basis of genetics like different breeds of dogs, cats or variety of rose, hibiscus flowers.

Genetic diversity in meiosis is based on 2 factors, One is the crossing over and the random arrangement or alignment of homologous pairs of chromosomes. Recombination happens and new variants of the same species emerge by the process of cell division called the meiosis. Meiosis is the only process in which a diploid cell that is “2n” becomes hapoid which is “n”.

This article completely focuses on explaining the topic Genetic diversity In meiosis in a very explicit way.

What is genetic diversity in meiosis?

genetic diversity in meiosis
Meiosis
Image credits- Wikimedia

In comparison with mitosis, meiosis shows or creates more genetic variation.

There are 2 factors- crossing over and random arrangement or the independent assortment.

  • Independent Assortment: The formation of random arrangement in chromosomes is called an independent assortment which leads to genetic variation in meiosis. This is also called random alignment or arrangement.
  • Crossing over: Exchange of genes among the homologous chromosomes which leads to the recombinant chromosomes which has the possibility in which the gene can have the parent cell gene.

What is the genetic diversity in meiosis in comparison with mitosis?

In comparison with mitosis, meiosis shows or creates more genetic variation.

  • In meiosis, four cells are produced from the parent cell and they are not genetically identical to their parent cell.
  • In mitosis, 2 cells are produced which are definitely identical to the parent cell.

What are Sources of genetic diversity in meiosis?

As discussed earlier, there are two sources of genetic diversity in meiosis.

The two sources of meiotic genetic diversity are the independent assortment or also called as random arrangement and the second one the crossing over process.

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What are the causes of genetic diversity in meiosis?

Meiosis is a significant process in which a diploid cell (2n) becomes haploid cell (n).

Recombination is a systemic process in which new variants or to be more clear now versions of the same species cells emerge. Recombination is the major cause of genetic diversity in meiosis.

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What is genetic variation in general?

Genes are the functional unit of heredity.

Genetic variation is the variety of genes or the genetic differences that take place between the same species.

Example: The parents both father and mother, have brown hair but the child has dark black hair. This is because the child has got the genes responsible for hair from one of their grandparents.
So the child has genetic variation in comparison to parents.

what chromosomes are made up of
Chromosome
Image credits- Flickr

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What is Meiosis?

Meiosis is a process of cell division. It is a process in which one single parent cell produces four cells with half the number of chromosomes from which the cells that they were originated from, that is the parent cell.

So this is a significant process in which the diploid cell becomes haploid.

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There are few stages involved in this process of cell division.

Meiosis diagram
Meiosis process
Image Credits- Wikimedia

Prophase-I:

The thin strand of chromatin condenses and forms compact short chromosomes which is called the chromosome condensation. Then the nuclear envelope breaking open finally leads to the process of crossing over.

Metaphase-I

These homologous pairs of chromosomes are transported to the center of the cell known as the equator region of the cell.

Anaphase-I:

Now, each homologous chromosome moves towards the opposite poles of the cells.

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Telophase-I and Cytokinesis:

The chromosomes grouped in the opposite poles, the division of cytoplasm takes place.

Prophase-II:

Spindle formation takes place at this step.

Metaphase-II:

The chromosomes gather into the equator that is the middle or the center of the cell.

Anaphase-II:

The chromatids reach to the opposite poles and the centromeres division takes place.

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Telophase-II and Cytokinesis:

Disappearance of spindle fibers and formation of nuclear membrane around the chromosome sets takes place.

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Light Dependent Reaction Example: Detailed Facts

Photosynthesis is an exclusive mechanism in which the photosynthetic organisms prepare their food for survival. They undergo complex processes and one of them is the light dependent reaction.

In this article, we will see the systemic reactions of the light dependent reaction example involved with respect to living beings

Before we enter into the process we need to know, what is the light dependent reaction?

The Light dependent reaction is the first or the primary stage of the photosynthesis in which the photosynthetic organism obtains the solar energy source or the light source from the sun, processes it and converts it into chemical energy and utilizes them as ATP-Adenosine triphosphate and NADPH- Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate for their survival.

The internal structures present inside the photosynthetic organisms aid in the conversion of the raw photosynthetic materials and produce the Adenosine triphosphate and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate.

light dependent reaction example
Photosynthetic Organism
Image Credits- Wikimedia

The ATP or Adenosine triphosphate is the vital energy molecule.

The NADPH or the Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate is an electron donor to the organism which helps in the biosynthesis of all the cell components.

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Photosynthesis
Image Credits- Pixabay

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What is the Light dependent reaction example?

Light dependent reaction is nothing but a reaction which happens with the presence of light that is the reaction depends on light- Sunlight.

The accurate light dependent reaction example is the process of photosynthesis which takes place in the region of the chloroplast called thylakoid .

There is a light independent reaction in the process of photosynthesis that takes place in the stroma of the organelle chloroplast.

This article completely focuses on the light dependent reaction example.

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Detailed explanation on Photosynthetic light dependent reaction example or the Light dependent reaction of photosynthesis:

  • The aim of the light dependent reaction in photosynthesis is to trap the solar energy from the sunlight and break or convert the water molecule (H2O) into ATP-Adenosine triphosphate and NADPH- Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate.
  • The ATP molecule –Adenosine triphosphate molecule and NADPH molecule- Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate molecule given out from the light dependent reaction process and is further utilized in the light independent reaction process.
  • Chlorophyll is a pigment present inside the chloroplast. This pigment, chlorophyll absorbs the sunlight.
  • The thylakoids in the chloroplast have few membranes called the thylakoid membranes which have a protein complex called the Photo System- I, Photo System- II.
  • This chlorophyll that absorbs the sunlight is stored in these two protein complexes- Photo System- I, Photo System- II.
  • When the sunlight falls on the region of the chloroplast that is present in the Photo System- II, the electrons get excited and travel towards the thylakoid membranes leaving the region of the chloroplast.
  • The excited electrons travel along the thylakoid membranes along with the range of carrier proteins which are usually called the electron transport chain.
  • The Photo system- II breaks the water molecule that is H2O splits to 2 hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule. The oxygen escapes as oxygen gas.
  • The hydrogen ion gets flooded in the lumen of the thylakoid from the above process thus as they pass through the enzyme ATP synthase which give the final phosphate molecule to ADP(Adenosine diPhosphate) making it ATP- ATP-Adenosine triphosphate.
  • Finally, the electron that comes from the photosystem II reaches to the photosystem I, which also has chlorophyll. The solar energy from the sun makes the electron excited again, providing enough energy to pass in between the membrane and towards the stroma.
  • This combines with a hydrogen ion from the split up water molecule and an NADP+ to manufacture the energy holding molecule NADPH.
  • ATP and NADPH then go towards stroma from the thylakoid, where the energy molecule is used to proceed with the process of the light-independent reactions.

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Photosynthesis
Image credits- Flickr

The image represents that the photosynthetic organisms procure the Carbon- di- oxide from air and water from the soil and utilize it for the photosynthesis.

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What is the cyclic light dependent reaction of photosynthesis?

The process by which the solar energy is trapped and transformed into a chemical energy so that the organisms utilize and survive is called photosynthesis.

The method that the photosynthesis process takes up can be cyclic or non cyclic. If it is cyclic phosphorylation, the flow of electrons will be in a unique manner that is they show up circular or a loop like flow and returns back to the Photosystem-1

So the vital ingredients or the elements required to perform the photosynthesis process are

  • Carbon- di- oxide
  • Water
  • Sunlight

Only certain organisms will have the capacity to undergo this photosynthesis, they are called the photosynthetic organisms.

These photosynthetic organisms procure the Carbon- di- oxide from air and water from the soil and utilize it for the photosynthesis.

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What is the Non cyclic light dependent reaction of photosynthesis?

In case of non cyclic phosphorylation it’s just the opposite of the cyclic phosphorylation one.

In non cyclic phosphorylation, the electrons excite and they do not return as both the photosystem (photosystem-1 and 2) are involved.

A Brief Account on what happens in the photosynthesis process:

  • The process of photosynthesis looks very simple but it involves many complex mechanisms.
  • The sunlight is utilized and the carbon- di- oxide in the air is trapped and gets converted to sugar (energy molecule).
  • The sunlight is utilized and the water from the soil is converted to oxygen.

The photosynthesis equation:

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Summary of the light dependent reaction process:

  • The ultimate goal is to convert the solar light energy to chemical energy.
  • The light dependent reaction process will be performed in the thylakoid of the chloroplast organelle.
  • The raw materials used is NADP+, Sunlight, H2O, ADP and the final products are NADPH, ATP, O2.

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Difference Between Animal And Plant Cell Chromosomes: Comparative Analysis on Structure, Function And Facts

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Chromosomes are tiny hair-like structures that are located inside the nucleus region which carries the genetic material of the organism.

Difference between animal and plant cell chromosomes can be the number of chromosomes, genes, they type of cell division and genetic manipulation.

Characteristic features Plant cell Chromosome Animal cell chromosome
Number of chromosome Plant cell in general tend to have fewer number of chromosomes Animal cells usually posses more number of chromosome due to their complexity.
Genes Plant cell majorly differ very much in their genes like plants require photosynthesis to survive so the presence of that specific gene is mandatory Animal cell have genes related to their own factor. So the presence of animal characteristic genes like locomotor genes will be seen in the animal cell chromosome.
Cell division In plants, the cell division takes place by cell plate method in which the cell separates itself by building a wall between them. In animals, a physiological process called cytokinesis takes place
Genetic manipulation Genetic manipulation is easy in plants as their chromosome can be easily modified Recombinant technology or genetic manipulation is tedious in animal cell when compared to plant but still it is possible.
Difference Between Animal And Plant Cell Chromosomes
difference between animal and plant cell chromosomes
Structure of a chromosome
Image credits- Wikimedia

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The difference between animal and plant cell chromosomes can be classified based on few factors which will be discussed in this article. But the ultimate goal of the specific chromosome or to be more clear, any organelle will remain the same like the role of kidney in humans and animals remains the same.

Likewise, the ultimate role of the chromosomes remain the same so the difference between animal and plant cell chromosomes is much fewer yet matters a lot.

Do all plants and animal cells have the same amount of chromosomes?

Plants can prepare their own food where as animals can not, they same way plant and animal differences in their mechanisms.

So, no- not all plants and animal cells have the same amount of chromosomes. Each species of plant or animal will differ in their number of chromosomes.

Example:

The number of chromosomes present in rice is 24 chromosomes- 12 pairs  whereas in maize the number of chromosomes is 20 chromosomes- 10 pairs.

The number of chromosomes present in dogs are 78 chromosomes- 39 pairs whereas cats have 38 chromosomes- 19 pairs.

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Similarities between animal cell chromosomes and plant cell chromosomes:

The ultimate role or work of chromosomes remains the same even if they are present in animal cells or plant cells.

The ultimate role of a chromosome is to carry the genetic material intact with all the bound proteins, this remains the same in all the cells and the alignment is linear in both plant and animal cells.

Plant or animal cells do not have circular chromosomes. They show a linear form.

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Difference Between Animal And Plant Cell Chromosomes

Example:

  • If 2 different organisms in animals have 18 chromosomes, it is not necessary that they should have the same genes or even alleles present in them.
  • The 13th chromosome can be a protein that codes for enzyme F in one organism.
  • The other organism’s 13th chromosome can code for an enzyme ABC.
  • So these changes can happen even from one animal cell to another or plant cell to another.
  • It is not mandatory that it must have the same replicas even though they possess the same number of chromosomes in them.
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Components of a chromosome
Image credits- Flickr

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Why do animal or plant cell chromosomes have histones in their chromosomes?

The differentiative morphology of chromosomes aid in keeping the DNA tightly wrapped or bound around the protein called histones. 

If this lacked such a kind of outer covering the DNA molecule will be left free and can not be placed intactly inside the cell. It is said that one chromosomal strand when left free is about 6 feet in length, in order to be held together they need to be bound inside proteins like histones.

Histones are proteins that present as layers on the DNA molecule in chromosomes that aid in keeping the DNA intact.

For an organism to rejuvenate and grow and even work in a correct manner, cells should undergo a cell division process to let out new cells or to even repair or replace old damaged cells

During the process of cell division, it is mandatory that the DNA remains intact and equally contributed among cells. Chromosomes are a vital part in this entire process as chromosomes make sure that the DNA is aptly replicated and evenly distributed.

Example of animal cell chromosome: Human chromosome

  • In humans, there are about 23 pairs of chromosomes so totally humans have 46 chromosomes.
  • Among these 23 pairs of chromosomes, 22 pairs are autosomes which resemble the same in both male and female.
  • The one pair is the sex chromosome which differs.
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Chromosome
Image credits- Flickr
  • FemaleXX chromosome
  • MaleXY chromosome.

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Why Chromosomes Are In Pairs: Comparative Analysis on Structure, Function And Facts

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Chromosome is a region or a portion in the nucleus of a cell which has the genetic material in it.

Why chromosomes are in pairs- The term diploid means 2n where ‘ n ‘ means number of chromosomes, one from each parent. Combination of the sex cells, which is haploid- the male gamate  ( sperm ) with the female (gamate ovum) makes it diploid and this is why they come in pairs.

Human have 23 pair of chromosome in which 22 pair of chromosomes are autosomes and the other 1 pair is the sex chromosome which defines whether the offspring is boy or girl

In the case of Boy, it will be X Y chromosome

In the case of Girl, it will be X X chromosome.

Females in general give X chromosomes to their offspring but male can give X or Y.

why chromosomes are in pairs
Chromosome
Image credits- Flickr

If the male give the X chromosome so it will

 X (from the male) and X (form the female) so it will be X X that is the offspring will be a girl.

If the male gives the Y chromosome, so it will be

 X (from the female) and Y ( from the male) so it will be X Y that is the offspring will be a boy.

X Y – Male

X X – Female

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How are chromosomes arranged in pairs?

Chromosomes are arranged in pairs as one is inherited from one parent and the other is inherited from the other biological parent.

Karyotype: The ultimate chromosome complex inside the nucleus is called the karyotype. This karyotype is a laboratory imaging technique that is used to identify any defective or abnormal portion in the chromosome.

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In research, it is used to identify the length of the chromosome and other factors.

Chromosome en
Structure of a chromosome
Image credits- Wikimedia

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Are chromosomes always in pairs, if Yes, Why chromosomes are in pairs?

Chromosome being just resembling a hair-like structure contains a lot of information for an organism to sustain on this earth.

It is not necessary that chromosomes that are present in each and every organism should be in pairs but yes, the majority of the chromosomes are in pairs.

We know about the diploid and haploid terms in genetics.

Haploid is when only 1n is present

Diploid is when 2n is present

Where n is the total number of chromosomes present inside.

We just saw that in pairs one chromosome is obtained from one biological parent and the other from another biological parent.

The pairing of this chromosome is based on the matching pairs that is the specific type of chromosome in the male organism pairs with the same specific type of the chromosome from the female organism.

So the final conclusion is that the pairing happens only for the diploid cell type and not for haploid cells.

Examples of diploid cells are the muscle cells, blood cells, skin cells.

Examples of haploid cells are sperm cells, ova cells, all bacteria like E. coli and other organisms that replicate with only one parent.

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How are chromosomes held together?

In order to be in pairs, chromosomes should possess a meeting point or the region of attachment.

Centromere is the region in the paired chromosome in which the pair of chromosomes are held tightly together. It is a narrow or constrictive spot in which both the sister chromatids meet with their duplicates and are held together.

The centromere can be present in the middle or at the end and this region aids in the differentiation of the short arm and long arm.

Short arm – p – Arm

Long arm – q – Arm

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Are each pair of chromosomes identical?

Identical is a concept that comes only when one chromosome is the exact replica of the other (even not the sub- type is inclusive).

The pair of chromosomes is not generally identical. They can be the matching pair and may have the location of the centromere, staining patterns and other valuable factors same or identical but they may have different allele which makes them non- identical.

Allele is the other form or other version of a gene.

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Components of a chromosome
Image credits- Flickr

Example: one chromosome have genes that code for a protein X X Y and X Y Z and will represent the dark skin tone which is the dominant gene

The matching chromosomes have the same genes that code for a protein X X Y and X Y Z and represent the fair skin tone which is the recessive gene.

So this is a homologous chromosome, but still only the dominant trait will be shown out.

The proteins expressed are the same so the proteins like  X X Y and X Y Z will be produced but when it comes to the trait on the skin tone, it will carry the dominant one that is the dark skin tone.

So, this is not an identical one and thus chromosomes in pairs are necessarily not identical always even when they have the centromere location or any other factors like staining pattern or other the same, they can not be truly identical.

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