An inversion is a
chromosome rearrangement in which a segment of a chromosome is reversed end to end. An inversion occurs when a single chromosome undergoes breakage and rearrangement within itself. Inversions are of two types: paracentric and pericentric. Paracentric inversions do not include the
centromere and both breaks occur in one arm of the chromosome. Pericentric inversions include the centromere and there is a break point in each arm. Special
cytogenetics techniques are often needed to detect inversions. In the "giant"
polytene chromosomes found in some organisms, inversions can be easily visualized when they are
heterozygous. This is a very useful characteristic of
polytene chromosomes that was first noted by
Theophilus Shickel Painter in 1933.
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A basic type of chromosome rearrangement. A segment that does not include the centromere (and so is paracentric) has been snipped out of a chromosome, turned through 180 degrees (inverted), and inserted right back into its original location in chromosome.
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