What is the Difference Between Paracentric and Pericentric Inversion?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between paracentric and pericentric inversions lies in the involvement of the centromere in the rearrangement process. Both paracentric and pericentric inversions are types of chromosomal rearrangements where small segments of chromosomes break, rotate about 180°, and reattach themselves. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Paracentric Inversion: In this type of inversion, the centromere is not involved in the rearrangement process. The breaks occur in the same arm of the chromosome, and the segment reattaches itself in the reverse direction. Paracentric inversions do not typically cause major issues, but they can lead to fertility problems or delayed pregnancy.
- Pericentric Inversion: In contrast to paracentric inversions, pericentric inversions involve the centromere in the rearrangement process. One break occurs in the short 'p' arm, and the other occurs in the long 'q' arm of the chromosome. Pericentric inversions can change the relative lengths of the chromosome arms above and below the centromere. These inversions may have milder effects than other chromosomal disorders, but altered gene orientation can result in functional changes and aberrant levels of gene products.
In summary, paracentric inversions do not involve the centromere and occur in only one arm of the chromosome, while pericentric inversions involve the centromere and occur in both arms of the chromosome. The involvement of the centromere in pericentric inversions can lead to more significant changes in the chromosome structure and potential functional consequences.
Comparative Table: Paracentric vs Pericentric Inversion
Here is a table comparing the differences between paracentric and pericentric inversions:
Feature | Paracentric Inversion | Pericentric Inversion |
---|---|---|
Definition | A type of inversion in which the centromere is not involved. | A type of inversion which involves the centromere. |
Occurrence | Occurs in only one arm of the chromosome. | Occurs in both arms of the chromosome. |
Arrangement | The broken segment always arranges itself in the reverse direction. | There is no hard and fast rule for the arrangement of broken segments. |
Centromere | Centromere is located outside the inversion loop. | Centromere is located inside the inversion loop. |
In both paracentric and pericentric inversions, a chromosomal segment breaks, rotates about 180°, and reattaches itself. However, paracentric inversions do not involve the centromere and occur in only one arm of the chromosome, while pericentric inversions involve the centromere and occur in both arms of the chromosome.
- Metacentric vs Telocentric Chromosomes
- Monocentric Dicentric vs Polycentric Chromosomes
- Acrocentric vs Telocentric Chromosomes
- Metacentric vs Submetacentric Chromosomes
- Centrosome vs Centromere
- Centromere vs Centriole
- Inversion vs Translocation
- Centriole vs Centromere
- Centromere vs Kinetochore
- Centromere vs Chromomere
- Centriole vs Centrosome
- Centromere vs Telomere
- Interchromosomal vs Intrachromosomal Recombination
- Heliocentric vs Geocentric
- Circumcenter, Incenter, Orthocenter vs Centroid
- Symmetric vs Asymmetric Karyotype
- Parallels vs Meridians
- Chiasmata vs Synaptonemal Complex
- Anticlinal vs Periclinal Division