ANEUCENTRIC Meaning and
Definition
-
Aneucentric is an adjective that refers to the absence or lack of a centromere in a chromosome. The term is derived from the Greek words "a-" meaning without and "neuro-" which means center. In genetics, the centromere is a region of a chromosome that plays a vital role in cell division and chromosome segregation. It is responsible for the attachment of spindle fibers during mitosis and meiosis, thus ensuring the even distribution of genetic material into daughter cells.
When a chromosome is described as aneucentric, it means that it either lacks a centromere entirely or has a defective or dysfunctional centromere. This chromosomal abnormality can result in various issues during cell division and can lead to genetic instability or other aberrations. Aneucentric chromosomes may fail to attach to the spindle fibers, leading to their missegregation or loss during cell division.
Aneucentric chromosomes can occur naturally, as structural anomalies in the genome, or as a result of genetic mutations. These abnormalities may lead to various genetic disorders or diseases. Studies on aneucentric chromosomes are crucial for understanding the underlying mechanisms of chromosomal rearrangements, genomic evolution, and the origins of genomic disorders.
Overall, aneucentric refers to the absence or malfunction of a centromere in a chromosome and is an important concept in genetics, molecular biology, and cytology.
Etymology of ANEUCENTRIC
The word "aneucentric" is created by combining two roots: "aneu-" and "centric".
The prefix "aneu-" comes from the Greek word "aneús", which means "not even" or "uneven". It is also derived from the Greek prefix "an-" meaning "not" or "without".
The root "centric" is derived from the Greek word "kentrōn", which means "center".
Therefore, "aneucentric" combines these roots to describe something that lacks a defined center or has an uneven distribution. In the field of genetics, it specifically refers to a chromosome or a chromosomal fragment that lacks a centromere, the region responsible for chromosome segregation during cell division.
