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chromosome definition

chromo·some (krō′mə sōm′)

noun

any of the microscopic rod-shaped bodies formed by the incorporation of the chromatin in a cell nucleus during mitosis and meiosis: they carry the genes that convey hereditary characteristics, and are constant in number for each species
see cell,

Etymology: chromo- + -some

Related Forms:

  • chromosomal chro′mo·so′·mal (-sō′məl) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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