What is the purpose of conducting NOR banding?

The purpose of conducting NOR banding is to specifically detect nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) of the chromosomes. NORs are specific chromosomal regions that are associated with the formation of the nucleolus during interphase and are involved in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis. By using NOR banding techniques, cytogeneticists can visualize these regions, which can be important in understanding the genomic organization and expression related to nucleolar function.

In practice, NOR banding involves treatment of chromosomes to enhance the visibility of these regions, allowing for the identification and analysis of chromosomes that contain NORs, which are typically seen on acrocentric chromosomes. This method is particularly useful in contexts such as distinguishing certain chromosomal abnormalities or assessing changes in nucleolar architecture in various diseases.