Karyotyping a sample of human chromosomes:

1. Align chromosomes vertically by clicking on the "Align" button.
2. Arrange chromosomes by size from largest to smallest.
3. Click on the "Group" button to show the correct locations for chromosome placement. Use the criteria below each sample to determine the identity of each chromosome.
4. Terms for centromere location:
   • metacentric - in the middle
   • submetacentric - toward one end
   • acrocentric - at one end
5. Hit the "verify" button to check your results. Correctly placed chromosomes will turn white.
6. Hit the "clear" button to reset the colors of correctly placed chromosomes.

• Group A: Longest chromomosomes with centromeres near middle
• Group B: Long chromosomes with centromeres toward one end.
• Group C: Medium sized chromosoems, meta- to submetacentric
• Group D: Moderately short, centromere to one end (an acrocentric may have a very short arm)
• Group E: Moderately short, metacentric to submetacentric
• Group F: Very short, metacentric
• Group G: Very short, acrocentric
• X: like the largest in group C
• Y: very short, like a G group chromosome

Please email any questions, error reports, or feedback to Dave Hurley