METACENTRIC CHROMOSOME Meaning and
Definition
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A metacentric chromosome is a type of chromosome that possesses a centrally located centromere, dividing the chromosome into two arms of approximately equal length. The word "metacentric" is derived from the Greek word "meta," meaning "between" or "midway," and "kentron," meaning "center." This term refers to the position of the centromere, which is located at or near the center of the chromosome arm.
Metacentric chromosomes are found in various organisms, including humans, animals, and plants. The presence of a metacentric chromosome can affect the physical characteristics and behavior of an organism. In humans, for example, certain genetic disorders may be associated with the presence of metacentric chromosomes, such as Robertsonian translocations.
The position of the centromere is crucial in cell division, as it ensures the proper alignment and segregation of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis. By having the centromere located centrally, metacentric chromosomes maintain a balance of genetic material between the two chromosome arms. This balance is essential for the stability and functionality of the genome.
Metacentric chromosomes can easily be observed during cytogenetic analysis, which involves studying the number, structure, and behavior of chromosomes in a cell. Techniques like karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) are commonly used to visualize and identify metacentric chromosomes.
In summary, a metacentric chromosome is a type of chromosome that possesses a centrally located centromere, dividing the chromosome into two arms of approximately equal length. These chromosomes play a vital role in maintaining the balance and stability of the genetic material within an organism.
Common Misspellings for METACENTRIC CHROMOSOME
- netacentric chromosome
- ketacentric chromosome
- jetacentric chromosome
- mwtacentric chromosome
- mstacentric chromosome
- mdtacentric chromosome
- mrtacentric chromosome
- m4tacentric chromosome
- m3tacentric chromosome
- meracentric chromosome
- mefacentric chromosome
- megacentric chromosome
- meyacentric chromosome
- me6acentric chromosome
- me5acentric chromosome
- metzcentric chromosome
- metscentric chromosome
- metwcentric chromosome
- metqcentric chromosome
Etymology of METACENTRIC CHROMOSOME
The word "metacentric" is derived from two Greek words: "meta" meaning "after" or "beyond" and "kentron" meaning "center". Thus, "metacentric" literally translates to "beyond the center".
"Chromosome" comes from the Greek words "chroma" meaning "color" and "soma" meaning "body". The name was originally given to these structures because they were observed to be stained with different colors in early microscopic studies.
So, the term "metacentric chromosome" combines the Greek-derived adjective "metacentric" (referring to the position of the centromere) with the term "chromosome" (referring to the colored structures observed in cell nuclei).
