Chromosomes
Chromosomes
Chromosomes (/ˈkroʊməˌsoʊmz/; from the Greek chroma, color and soma, body) are thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of animal and plant cells. Each chromosome is made of protein and a single molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
Etymology
The term "chromosome" was coined by German anatomist Heinrich Wilhelm Gottfried von Waldeyer-Hartz in 1888. It is derived from the Greek words chroma meaning color and soma meaning body, due to the ability of chromosomes to be stained with dyes.
Function
Chromosomes are responsible for carrying genetic information in the form of genes. They play a vital role in cell division, heredity, variation, mutation, and evolutionary change.
Types of Chromosomes
There are several types of chromosomes, including Autosomes, Sex Chromosomes, Metacentric Chromosomes, Submetacentric Chromosomes, Acrocentric Chromosomes, and Telocentric Chromosomes.
Related Terms
- Gene: A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait.
- DNA: The molecule that carries genetic instructions in all living things.
- Cell Division: The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.
- Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence that affects genetic information.
- Evolution: The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chromosomes
- Wikipedia's article - Chromosomes
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski