Question

Which one of the following is the acrocentric chromosomes?

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. None of these

Answer 1

The thread-like structures that are found inside the nucleus of plants as well as animal cells are known as chromosomes. They are made up of a DNA or deoxyribonucleotide molecule and proteins. The chromosomes contain specific instructions that are transferred through parents to the offspring.

Complete answer:
A chromosome is a structure containing the DNA molecule with the genome of the organism. THe chromosomes contain the DNA in a condensed or concentrated form by certain proteins known as the packaging proteins. These proteins help to contain the DNA in a concentrated form and to prevent it from becoming unmanageable.
The chromosomes are visible in the metaphase of cell division as all the chromosomes are present in the center. Chromosomes are divided into two parts and have a constriction point in the middle and it is known as the centromere. The centromere consists of a combination of DNA with the proteins. There are four types of chromosomes on the basis of location of centromere constriction. The different types are metacentric, sub metacentric, acrocentric and telocentric chromosomes.
In the metacentric type of chromosome, the centromere is present just at the center and the resultant sections are equal in length. The human chromosome 1 and 3 are metacentric chromosomes.
In the submetacentric type, the centromere is present slightly away from the center creating a slight asymmetry in the length. The telocentric chromosomes possess centromere at the end of the chromosomes. This type of chromosome is not found in humans but is found in mice.
In the acrocentric chromosomes, the centromere is placed extremely away from the center and it leads to unequal length in the two arms of the chromosomes. In this type of chromosome, one arm is very long while the other arm is very short as compared to the other arm.
The figure A represents telocentric chromosome, figure B represents the acrocentric and figure C represent submetacentric chromosomes and figure D is represented by metacentric chromosomes.

Therefore, the correct option is option B.

Note: Centromere are present as a constriction on the chromosomes. The position of the centromere divides the two arms in a variety of lengths such as in metacentric chromosomes, the centromere is present in the middle and the two arms are equal in length and in acrocentric, the centromere creates unequal lengths of the two arms. While in telocentric, the centromere is situated at the end of the chromosomes.