What is Euchromatin and Heterochromatin ?

• After cell division, the chromosomes change back into chromatin fibres. They are of 2 types. Heterochromatin and euchromatin. Heterochromatin is not active and the euchromatin nucleus is considered the most biologically active region of the nucleus within the cell. Euchromatin is transcriptionally more activebecause, it is responsible for genome expression of all chromosomes through the synthesis of both messenger RNA production and DNA gene expression.

More to Know: 

Differences between Euchromatin and heterochromatin.

Euchromatin:

• It consists of thin uncoiled chromatin fibres.
• It forms the bulk of chromatin.
• It occupies most of the nucleus.
• It stains lightly.
• Its genes are active.
• It is transcribed.
• It replicates early in S phase.
• It permits crossing over.

Heterochromatin:

• It consists of thick, coiled chromatin fibres.
• It forms fraction of chromatin.
• It lies close to the nuclear lamella.
• It stains deeply.
• Its genes are inactive.
• It is not transcribed.
• It replicates late in S phase.
• It inhibits crossing over.