chromozómu

A chromozóm is a thread-like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes. Chromosomes are composed of DNA, which is tightly coiled around proteins called histones. This coiling allows the very long DNA molecule to fit inside the nucleus of a cell.

In eukaryotic cells, such as those of plants and animals, chromosomes are linear and located within the nucleus. Prokaryotic cells, like bacteria, typically have a single, circular chromosome located in a region of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The number of chromosomes varies greatly among species. Humans, for example, have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. One set of 23 comes from each parent.

Chromosomes play a crucial role in cell division, ensuring that genetic material is accurately replicated and passed on to daughter cells. During cell division, chromosomes condense and become visible under a microscope. Their structure and arrangement are carefully managed to maintain genetic stability and facilitate the inheritance of traits from one generation to the next.