kinetochore
/kɪˈniːtəʊkɔː
/ /kʌɪˈniːtəʊkɔː/noun Biology
1A complex of proteins associated with the centromere of a chromosome during cell division, to which the microtubules of the spindle attach.
1.1 historical another term for centromere.In metaphase, sister kinetochores attach to microtubules emanating from opposite spindle pole bodies during alignment of the chromosomes....
- Chromosome loss may be the result of either non-attachment of the chromosome kinetochore to the spindle microtubules or chromosome lagging at anaphase and gives rise to a micronucleus.
- The DNA is asymmetrically distributed to the daughter cells when the kinetochores do not attach and the spindle checkpoint does not restrain mitosis.
Origin
1930s: from kineto- 'of movement' + Greek khōros 'place'.