chromosome number

American  

noun

Genetics.

1. the characteristic number of chromosomes contained in the cell nucleus of a given species.

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chromosome number British  

noun

1. the number of chromosomes present in each somatic cell, which is constant for any one species of plant or animal. In the reproductive cells this number is halved See also diploid haploid

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Etymology

Origin of chromosome number

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chromosome number

One of the earliest warning signs in this process is the presence of chromosomal abnormalities, which include changes in chromosome number or structure.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 10, 2026

Genomic sequencing also revealed that D. catalonica has a haploid chromosome number of four autosomes plus one X chromosome, while D. tilosensis has six autosomes and one X chromosome.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2025

The gametic chromosomes combine during fertilization to produce offspring with the same chromosome number as their parents.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Disorders in chromosome number, or aneuploidies, are typically lethal to the embryo, although a few trisomic genotypes are viable.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

In 1959 several British and French research teams found their independent studies pointing to a common conclusion — that some of humanity’s ills are caused by a disturbance of the normal chromosome number.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson