euchromatin /yo̅o̅krō″mətin/ [Gk, eu + chroma, color] , the part of a chromosome that is active in gene expression. It stains most deeply during mitosis, when it is in a coiled, condensed state during each repetition of the cell cycle. It alternates between condensation and dispersion. Compare heterochromatin. See also chromatin. −euchromatic, adj.
