Karyotyping+Activity+Sheet

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Print the sheet below and follow the directions on it.

A karyotype is one tool scientist use to learn more about chromosomes. A karyotype is a photograph of all of an organism's chromosomes. To make a karyotype, scientists use chemicals to freeze cells at the metaphase stage of cell division. At this stage, chromosomes are easy to isolate and stain. Karyotypes allow the study of chromosome abnormalities. The chromosomes in karyotypes are arranged so that homologous pairs are grouped together from the longest to the shortest. Patterns of banding and centromere location are also used to match up chromosome pairs. These pairs are often numbers from one to 22 and are followed by the sex chromosome. Monosomy and trisomy are two types of chromosome abnormalities. In monosomy, only one copy of a chromosome is present. In trisomy, three copies of a chromosome are present. Making karyotypes shows disorders such as these. In the following activity, you will match chromosome to make a karyotype.