chromosome

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a threadlike strand of DNA in the cell nucleus that carries the genes in a linear order

   Humans have 22 chromosome pairs plus two sex chromosomes.

2. 2
   noun

   A linear arrangement of condensed DNA and associated proteins (such as chaperone proteins) which contains the genetic material (genome) of an organism.

   Chromosomes store genetic information.

19th century: from German Chromosom, ultimately from Ancient Greek χρῶμα (khrôma, “colour”) + σῶμα (sôma, “body”) (because they are stained under the microscope). Equivalent to chromo- + -some.

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