chromosome

CEFRB2

/ˈkɹəʊ.məˌsəʊm/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A structure in a cell that carries genetic information.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A linear arrangement of condensed DNA and associated proteins (such as chaperone proteins) which contains the genetic material (genome) of an organism.

Examples

  • Men have an X and Y chromosome; women, two Xs.

  • Your chromosome can undoubtedly show what kind of human you are!

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
2
Parts of speech
1
Citations
1

Also pronounced

  • /ˈkɹoʊməˌsoʊm/
  • /ˈkɹoʊməˌzoʊm/

Deep Dive

More examples

In context

  • Chromosomes store genetic information.

  • A length of DNA is divided into segments called chromosomes and shorter individual units called genes.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Each human cell contains 23 pairs of blank that carry the blueprint for life.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

19th century: from German Chromosom, ultimately from Ancient Greek χρῶμα (khrôma, “colour”) + σῶμα (sôma, “body”) (because they are stained under the microscope). Equivalent to chromo- + -some.