A chromosome is a part of a cell in an animal or plant. It contains genes which determine what characteristics the animal or plant will have.
Each cell of our bodies contains 46 chromosomes.
chromosome in British English
(ˈkrəʊməˌsəʊm)
noun
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
Derived forms
chromosomal (ˌchromoˈsomal)
adjective
chromosomally (ˌchromoˈsomally)
adverb
chromosome in American English
(ˈkroʊməˌsoʊm)
noun
any of the microscopic rod-shaped bodies formed by the incorporation of the chromatin in a cell nucleus during mitosis and meiosis: they carry the genes that convey hereditary characteristics, and are constant in number for each species
Derived forms
chromosomal (ˌchromoˈsomal) (ˌkroʊməˈsoʊməl)
adjective
Word origin
chromo- + -some3
Examples of 'chromosome' in a sentence
chromosome
Anxiety can damage chromosomes responsible for a healthy immune system and shorten life by eight years.
The Sun (2015)
There is the genetic manipulation of the chromosomes in the cell.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGING IN TURBULENT TIMES (1980)
And perhaps this was due to some gene or genes on their mitochondrial chromosome!
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
Yeah, he has an extra chromosome.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They study the chromosome cells to determine likely speed, muscular strength and velocity.
The Sun (2016)
The woman in our distant ancestry who carried the mitochondrial chromosomes from which all the human mitochondrial chromosomes of the present time are descended.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
The presence of these mitochondrial chromosomes would allow him to trace the mitochondrial tree back to that earlier Eve.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
It is just the luck of the draw, and then she got the extra chromosome that put the magic in.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This meant that all those early arrivals died out, or at least did not leave any mitochondrial chromosomes to posterity.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
Thankfully attitudes have changed and we now have a better understanding of the condition, which is caused by an extra chromosome.
The Sun (2008)
Because mutations in the mitochondrial chromosome happen at random, more of them might by chance happen in one mitochondrial lineage than in another.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
This occurs when males are born with an extra X chromosome.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He looks as though he is made of anger issues and extra Y chromosomes.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Most of the genetic information in the cell is coded in the DNA of the chromosomes of the nucleus.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
You have two sets of chromosomes, making a total of 46 altogether.
Christianity Today (2000)
To keep powering the cell, these two sets of chromosomes need to talk to each other, he said.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The argument is that females have two X chromosomes, whereas males have only one.
Pressley, Michael & McCormick, Christine Advanced Educational Psychology For Educators, Researchers and Policymakers, (1995)
All related terms of 'chromosome'
X chromosome
An X chromosome is one of an identical pair of chromosomes found in a woman's cells, or one of a non-identical pair found in a man's cells. X chromosomes are associated with female characteristics . Compare → Y chromosome .
Y-chromosome
A Y chromosome is the chromosome in a man's cells which will produce a male baby if it joins with a female's X chromosome. Y chromosomes are associated with male characteristics . Compare → X chromosome .
chromosome band
any of the transverse bands that appear on a chromosome after staining . The banding pattern is unique to each type of chromosome, allowing characterization
chromosome map
a graphic representation of the positions of genes on chromosomes , obtained by observation of chromosome bands or by determining the degree of linkage between genes
sex chromosome
either of the chromosomes determining the sex of animals
chromosome number
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
lampbrush chromosome
a chromosome with looped projections resembling a brush