Chromosome

∞ generated and posted on 2016.08.25 ∞

Molecular complex consisting of polynucleic acid in association with what often are numerous proteins where the nucleic acid constitutes an organism's hereditary material.

In eukaryotes, a chromosome is found within the nucleus of every cell. More specifically, a chromosome tends to be a relatively large, protein-DNA complex. Eukaryotes have their DNA arranged into multiple chromosomes of different types. In humans there are 24 different types, i.e., 1, 2, 3, … 20, 21, 22, X and Y.

See also autosomes, sex chromosomes, and homologues.

Bacteria, too, have chromosomes. Unlike eukaryotic chromosomes, which are linear (that is, they have ends), prokaryotic chromosomes tend to be circular such that the "ends" are attached together to form a continuous molecule, and tend to consist of only a single type. A few bacteria exist, however, which have linear or more than one chromosome.


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