What are the differences between euchromatin and heterochromatin?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Euchromatin

Heterochromatin

Definition

Is the loosely packed form of chromatin in the nucleus

Is the tightly packed form of chromatin in the nucleus

Transcriptionally active/inactive

Is active

Is inactive

Occurance in genome

Is less abundant in the genome

Approximately 90% of the human genome is heterochromatin

Location in nucleus

Is located in the inner body of the nucleus

Is found in the periphery of the nucleus

DNA abundance

Contains less DNA

Contains more DNA

Organism

Is found in eukaryotes and prokaryotes

Is only found in eukaryotes

Types

Only has one type (euchromatin)

Facultative heterochromatin and constitutive heterochromatin.

Replication

Early replicative

Late replicative

Stains

Stains lightly

Stains easily and highly

Gene density

Low

High

Basis of differentiation	Euchromatin	Heterochromatin
Definition	Is the loosely packed form of chromatin in the nucleus	Is the tightly packed form of chromatin in the nucleus
Transcriptionally active/inactive	Is active	Is inactive
Occurance in genome	Is less abundant in the genome	Approximately 90% of the human genome is heterochromatin
Location in nucleus	Is located in the inner body of the nucleus	Is found in the periphery of the nucleus
DNA abundance	Contains less DNA	Contains more DNA
Organism	Is found in eukaryotes and prokaryotes	Is only found in eukaryotes
Types	Only has one type (euchromatin)	Facultative heterochromatin and constitutive heterochromatin.
Replication	Early replicative	Late replicative
Stains	Stains lightly	Stains easily and highly
Gene density	Low	High