centromere

American  

[sen-truh-meer] / ˈsɛn trəˌmɪər /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. a specialized structure on the chromosome, appearing during cell division as the constricted central region where the two chromatids are held together and form an X shape.

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centromere British  

/ ˌsɛntrəˈmɛrɪk, ˈsɛntrəˌmɪə, -ˈmɪərɪk /

noun

1. the dense nonstaining region of a chromosome that attaches it to the spindle during mitosis

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centromere Scientific  

/ sĕn′trə-mîr′ /

1. The region of the chromosome to which the spindle fiber is attached during cell division (both mitosis and meiosis). The centromere is the constricted point at which the two chromatids forming the chromosome are joined together.

2. See more at meiosis mitosis

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Other Word Forms

• centromeric
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of centromere

First recorded in 1920–25; centro- + -mere

Compare meaning

How does centromere compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• centrosome vs. centromere

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

centromere

The resulting identical pairs of chromosomes, the sister chromatids, are held together by a structure called the centromere.

From Science Daily ● May 13, 2024

The centromere is a part of the chromosome that plays a vital role in chromosome segregation during mitosis.

From Science Daily ● May 13, 2024

Previously believed to consist of a compact structure attaching to multiple spindle microtubules, it was instead revealed that the centromere consists of two subdomains.

From Science Daily ● May 13, 2024

The connection between the sister chromatids is closest in a region called the centromere.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

A karyotype is the number and appearance of chromosomes, including their length, banding pattern, and centromere position.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013