Condensation (genetics)

In genetics, condensation is the degree of compression of the DNA . The more densely the DNA is packed in the chromatin , the less transcription activity takes place. Strongly condensed chromosomes can be found, for example, in the metaphase chromosomes or in heterochromatin .

A second meaning relates to the information density in the DNA sequence . Strong condensation is when a large number of open reading frames are close to one another and can overlap one another.