What is the Difference Between Centromere and Kinetochore?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The centromere and kinetochore are both crucial components of chromosomes that play a role in cell division. They have distinct functions and structures:
- Centromere: The centromere is a constricted region found on a chromosome with highly specialized, repetitive DNA sequences. It serves as the primary region for condensed chromosomes and holds two sister chromatids together. The centromere is made up of centric heterochromatin.
- Kinetochore: The kinetochore is a disc-shaped protein complex located in the centromere. It provides sites for the attachment of microtubules during cell division. Kinetochores are constructed from certain histone subtypes.
The main differences between the centromere and kinetochore are:
- The centromere is the chromosomal region that holds two sister chromatids, while the kinetochore is a protein complex.
- The centromere is made up of centric heterochromatin, whereas the kinetochore is constructed from specific histone subtypes.
- Under a light microscope, the centromere is clearly visible, whereas an electron microscope makes the kinetochore visible.
In summary, the centromere is a chromosomal region that holds sister chromatids together, while the kinetochore is a protein complex located in the centromere that serves as a site for microtubule attachment during cell division. Both the centromere and kinetochore ensure the correct division and separation of chromosomes during cell division.
Comparative Table: Centromere vs Kinetochore
Here is a table summarizing the differences between centromere and kinetochore:
Feature | Centromere | Kinetochore |
---|---|---|
Primary Function | Holding sister chromatids together | Creating a location for the attachment of microtubules |
Corona | Doesn't possess a corona | Usually has a corona |
Layers | Has no layers | Usually has two layers |
Composition | A chromosomal DNA segment that is constrained | A protein complex that is put together on the centromere of chromosomes |
Observation | Visible with a light microscope | Visible with an electron microscope |
Structure | Comprised of centric heterochromatin | Comprised of specialized histone types like CENP-A |
Position | Consists of four positions: telocentric, acrocentric, submetacentric, and metacentric | Consists of two layers, the inner and outer kinetochores |
Number | It may be holocentric or monocentric | There is one kinetochore per chromosome |
Centromere is a region of the chromosome that holds two sister chromatids together, while kinetochore is a protein complex assembled around the centromere of the chromosome, providing sites for the attachment of microtubules during cell division.
- Centrosome vs Centromere
- Centriole vs Centromere
- Centromere vs Centriole
- Kinetochore vs Nonkinetochore Microtubules
- Centromere vs Chromomere
- Centromere vs Telomere
- Centriole vs Centrosome
- Metacentric vs Telocentric Chromosomes
- Chromosome vs Chromatid
- Chromatin vs Chromatid
- Ribosome vs Centrosome
- Karyokinesis vs Cytokinesis
- Acrocentric vs Telocentric Chromosomes
- Homologous Chromosomes vs Sister Chromatids
- Metacentric vs Submetacentric Chromosomes
- Mitochondria vs Kinetoplast
- Chromatin vs Chromosomes
- Prophase vs Metaphase
- Anaphase vs Telophase