Skip to main content
euchromatic

euchromatic

9.9
Of the part of a cell's DNA that is less tightly packed and has active genes
  • adjective
  • /juːˈkrəʊmətɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : eucromático
  • In our study, we focused on analyzing the euchromatic areas that are abundant in active genes.

Examples

  • Research shows that the euchromatic parts of chromosomes play a crucial role in the regulation of various genes.

  • We identified between 16,217 and 24,373 such DNase I accessible regions per stage, collectively spanning 9 to 13% of the euchromatic genome (Additional files 1, 2, and 3).

    Blog text (3)
  • The short arms of four chromosomes are entirely heterochromatic, but in the remaining 16 chromosomes with potentially gene-rich euchromatic arms, the heterochromatin is restricted to pericentromeric regions.

    Blog text (27)
  • The euchromatic regions of the DNA are more accessible for proteins to bind and initiate gene expression.

How Active

euchromatic
  • Specialized
9.9
heterochromatic
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

euchromatic positive

Morphology

euchromatic = chromatic (opaque) = eu + chromatic

Although morphologically analyzable as 'eu-' + 'chromatic', the biological meaning ('lightly staining, less condensed chromatin') is a specialized sense not inferable from general senses of 'eu' ('good/well') and 'chromatic' ('color').

Etymology

Euchromatic comes from Greek parts eu- meaning 'good' or 'well' and chroma meaning 'color', the same root you see in chromosome. Because these regions take a lighter, clearer color under the microscope and are more open and active, euchromatic now means the lightly packed, active parts of chromatin.