Figure 1.

Examples of the various stages of chromosome fragmentation in a subclone of HCT116 human colon carcinoma cells. A. Early stage chromosome fragmentation where most chromosomes are intact. Chromosomes being degraded are denoted by arrows. The degree of condensation occurring in the chromosomes should be noted and are very condensed when compared to the small degree of condensation occurring in the examples of S-phase PCC in figure 2. B. Mid-stage chromosome fragmentation where most chromosomes still display some chromosomal morphology despite multiple breaks. Nearly complete chromosomes are also identifiable (arrowheads). C. Late stage chromosome fragmentation where most chromosome morphology has been lost due to degradation despite the fragments still retaining a high degree of condensation. A small number of chromosomes are nearly intact (arrowheads).