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Heterochromatin

(Science: cell biology, genetics) The chromosomal regions that are condensed during interphase and at the time of nuclear Division.

They show what is considered an abnormal pattern of staining as opposed to euchromatin. Can be subdivided into constitutive regions (present in all cells) and facultative heterochromatin (present in some cells only). The inactive x chromosome of female mammals is an example of facultative heterochromatin.