centromere Hear it!

centromere Definition

cen·tro·mere (sen′trō mir′)

noun

a small, nonstaining structure, usually near the center of a chromosome to which the spindle fiber attaches during mitosis

Etymology: centro- + -mere

centromere Related Forms
cen′·tro·mer′ic (-mer′ik, -mir′-) adjective
centromere Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • chromosome: The structure of the centromere of a human mitotic chromosome.

Converse of object

  • call: The chromatids are joined together at a point called the centromere.
  • have: Each has a centromere linking its two copies together.

Modifies a noun

  • map: A centromere map of the X chromosome from trisomies of maternal origin.