Chromosome territories

Interphase chromosomes are long DNA strands that are extensively folded, and are often described as appearing like a bowl of spaghetti.

[1] Most eukaryotes are thought to have chromosome territories, although the budding yeast S. cerevisiae is an exception to this.

[2] Chromosome territories are spheroid with diameters on the order of one to few micrometers.

[3] Nuclear compartments devoid of DNA called interchromatin compartments have been reported to tunnel into chromosome territories to facilitate molecular diffusion into the otherwise tightly packed chromosome-occupied regions.

[4][5] The concept of chromosome territories was proposed by Carl Rabl in 1885 based on studies of Salamandra maculata.