noun
- A region of a chromosome that is densely packed and transcriptionally inactive, appearing dark under a microscope.
Usage: biology; genetics; technical
Examples
- Heterochromatin is tightly condensed and contains few active genes.
- The centromere of a chromosome is typically composed of heterochromatin.
- Scientists use staining techniques to distinguish heterochromatin from euchromatin under the microscope.
- Heterochromatin plays a role in gene silencing and chromosome structure.
- During cell division, heterochromatin remains highly condensed throughout the process.