Question

How will you recognize a terminal deletion from breakage and loss at the terminal end?

(a) Indistinguishable

(b) Terminal break will lead to shorter chromosome than that due to chunk deletion

(c) Terminal break will be sticky

(d) Deletion will be recognized by trans factors

The question was asked during an interview for a job.

My doubt stems from Chromosomal Abnormalities : Deletion in chapter Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance of Cytogenetics

Answer 1

The correct option is (c) Terminal break will be sticky

The explanation is: In terminal deletions the telomere is present; it is sort of removing the bases before telomere not including it. Terminal breaks will however lack telomerase and will be sticky. Shortening in both cases could be similar.