Question

Differentiate between paracentric inversion and pericentric inversion.

Answer 1

Feature	Paracentric Inversion	Pericentric Inversion
Location of Centromere	In paracentric inversion, the centromere is located outside the inversion loop.	In pericentric inversion, the centromere is located inside the inversion loop.
Result of Crossover	When crossover occurs within the inversion loop, one recombinant chromosome lacks a centromere, causing chromosomal bridge and loss of a chromosomal section.	When crossover occurs within the inversion loop, resulting chromatids have duplications and deletions of genes, leading to genetic imbalance and non-viability of the cell.
Gene Sequence Example	A normal sequence A B C D E F G may change to A B C D G F E (inversion excluding the centromere).	A normal sequence A B C D E F G may change to A E D C B F G (inversion including the centromere).
Genetic Material Change	There is no net gain or loss of genetic material; only gene sequence order is rearranged.	Similarly, no gain or loss of genetic material occurs overall, but duplication and deletions in recombinant chromatids arise upon crossover.
Effect on Genetic Crossing Over	Crossing over in inversion heterozygotes is suppressed due to difficulties in synapsis.	Also crossing over is suppressed and only parental types are mostly produced due to this inversion.