Practice question

Chromosome morphology nomenclature describes arms relative to primary constriction. Short arm designated p for petite in French, long arm designated q following alphabetical convention. Metacentric, submetacentric and acrocentric classification depends on centromere position determining p to q length ratio. G-banding pattern allows identification of p versus q. Acrocentric p arms often contain satellite stalks and nucleolar organizer regions with rDNA clusters. Genetic loci notation like 17p13.1 refers to band on short arm. Therefore p arm terminology indicates morphological short arm, distinct from centromere core or heterochromatic satellite itself.