chromosome

chromosome definition - medical

chro·mo·some (krōˈmə-sōmˌ)

noun
  1. A threadlike linear strand of DNA and associated proteins in the nucleus of animal and plant cells that carries the genes and functions in the transmission of hereditary information.
  2. A circular strand of DNA in bacteria and cyanobacteria that contains the hereditary information necessary for cell life.

Related Forms:

  • chroˌmo·soˈmal (-sōˈməl), chroˌmo·soˈmic (-sōˈmĭk) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.