chromosomes
|chro-mo-somes|
🇺🇸
/ˈkroʊ.mə.soʊmz/
🇬🇧
/ˈkrəʊ.mə.səʊmz/
(chromosome)
genetic structure
Etymology
'chromosome' originates from Greek via Neo-Latin, specifically the Greek elements 'chroma' meaning 'color' and 'soma' meaning 'body'.
'chromosome' was coined in the late 19th century (Neo-Latin 'chromosoma') and entered scientific English (via German/French usage such as German 'Chromosom'), popularized in cell biology literature.
Initially it referred to 'colored bodies' observed in stained cells; over time it came to denote the specific hereditary structures (comprised of DNA and protein) we now call chromosomes.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a threadlike structure of DNA and protein in the cell nucleus that carries genetic information in the form of genes; in eukaryotes chromosomes are typically visible during cell division.
Human somatic cells normally contain 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a distinct element used in karyotyping or genetic description, e.g. autosomes or sex chromosomes (X and Y), often referred to when discussing number, structure, or abnormalities.
Down syndrome is commonly caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
Last updated: 2025/08/29 07:57