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chromatin

American  
[kroh-muh-tin] / ˈkroʊ mə tɪn /

noun

Cell Biology.
  1. the readily stainable substance of a cell nucleus, consisting of DNA, RNA, and various proteins, that forms chromosomes during cell division.


chromatin British  
/ ˈkrəʊmətɪn /

noun

  1. cytology the part of the nucleus that consists of DNA and proteins, forms the chromosomes, and stains with basic dyes See also euchromatin heterochromatin

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

chromatin Scientific  
/ krōmə-tĭn /
  1. The substance distributed in the nucleus of a cell that condenses to form chromosomes during cell division. It consists mainly of DNA and proteins called histones.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of chromatin

First recorded in 1880–85; chromat- + -in 2

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Chromatin is the packaging of the DNA within cells.

From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2024

Chromatin not only ensures that all the DNA fits into the cell, it also determines which parts of the genetic material can be read by the cell.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

Chromatin organization by an interplay of loop extrusion and compartmental segregation.

From Nature • Sep. 26, 2017

Chromatin extrusion explains key features of loop and domain formation in wild-type and engineered genomes.

From Nature • Sep. 26, 2017

Chromatin: the minute granules that make up the chromoplasm of a cell nucleus.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

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