Question

Which of the following statements is true regarding the pattern of bands observed after performing the chromosome banding technique? A. Any specific band will be fluorescent green, since that is what hybridizes to the probe. B. The pattern of bands for any specific chromosome will change from person to person, but the overall banding pattern is the same for all chromosomes within an individual. The pattern of bands is characteristic for each chromosome, and the pattern for any specific chromosome is the same between different people. D. The pattern of bands observed for any particular chromosome has no relation to the location of specific genes on that chromosome.

Please explain your reasoning for the answer

Answer 1

C. The pattern of bands is characteristic for each chromosome, and the pattern for any specific chromosome is the same between different people.

Chromosome banding techniques are staining techniques that stain chromosomes differently depending on stain used and the Chromosome. Each technique provides a 'map' of the chromosome in question, staining chromosomes according to GC content, Heterochromatin location etc.

Since these techniques cannot distinguish between chromosomes down to the gene/allele level, these techniques are limited to providing information about chromosomal aberrations.