Monday, June 29, 2009

Definition of Acrocentric chromosome


Acrocentric chromosome: A chromosome (one
of the microscopically visible carriers of the genetic material DNA)
with its centromere (the "waist" of the chromosome) located quite
near one end of the chromosome. The "acro-" in acrocentric comes from
the Greek "akron" meaning "the end." Humans have 5 pairs of
acrocentric chromosomes. Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is due to an
extra acrocentric chromosome, namely chromosome 21.
A chromosome with a centromere near one end. Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is due to an extra acrocentric chromosome.

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