Chromosome

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈkɹəʊ.məˌsəʊm/
• US IPA: /ˈkɹoÊŠməˌsoÊŠm/

Origin

19th century: from German Chromosom, ultimately from Ancient Greek χρῶμα (khroma, "colour") + σῶμα ("body") (because they are stained under the microscope).

Full definition of chromosome

Noun

1. (biology, cytology) A structure in the cell nucleus that contains DNA, histone protein, and other structural proteins.There have been documented cases of morphologically male transgenders having XX chromosomes.

Derived terms

• chromosomal
• isochromosome
• X chromosome
• Y chromosome