chromosome

American  

[kroh-muh-sohm] / ˈkroʊ məˌsoʊm /

noun

Genetics.

1. any of several threadlike bodies, consisting of chromatin, that carry the genes in a linear order: the human species has 23 pairs, designated 1 to 22 in order of decreasing size and X and Y for the sex-determining chromosomes.

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chromosome British  

/ ˈkrəʊməˌsəʊm /

noun

1. any of the microscopic rod-shaped structures that appear in a cell nucleus during cell division, consisting of nucleoprotein arranged into units (genes) that are responsible for the transmission of hereditary characteristics See also homologous chromosomes

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chromosome Scientific  

/ krō′mə-sōm′ /

1. A structure in all living cells that consists of a single molecule of DNA bonded to various proteins and that carries the genes determining heredity. In all eukaryotic cells, the chromosomes occur as threadlike strands in the nucleus. During cell reproduction, these strands coil up and condense into much thicker structures that are easily viewed under a microscope. Chromosomes occur in pairs in all of the cells of eukaryotes except the reproductive cells, which have one of each chromosome, and some red blood cells (such as those of mammals) that expel their nuclei. In bacterial cells and other prokaryotes, which have no nucleus, the chromosome is a circular strand of DNA located in the cytoplasm.

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Other Word Forms

• chromosomal adjective
• chromosomally adverb
• interchromosomal adjective
• interchromosomally adverb
• nonchromosomal adjective

Etymology

Origin of chromosome

First recorded in 1885–90; chromo- + -some ³

Compare meaning

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

• chromosome vs. chromatid
• chromatin vs. chromosome
• plasmid vs. chromosome

Example Sentences

She wears a Barbie-pink necklace with a pendant of “the Lucky Few” symbol — three upward chevrons representing three copies of the 21st chromosome.

From Washington Post

The majority of conserved areas were in other areas of the chromosome that could affect how different genes are turned off or on or how active they become.

From Scientific American

Sex refers to biological characteristics, such as chromosomes, hormones and reproductive anatomy, which can also vary or change in understanding over time, or be medically and legally altered.

From Washington Times

And the three chevrons on the Barbie’s necklace represent how people with Down syndrome have three copies of their 21st chromosome, Mattel said.

From Seattle Times

Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is caused by the presence of an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21.

From Los Angeles Times