cromossômico

Cromossômico refers to anything related to chromosomes. Chromosomes are thread-like structures found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells that carry genetic information in the form of DNA. They are made up of DNA tightly coiled around proteins called histones. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, with 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes (XX for females and XY for males). These chromosomes are crucial for heredity, determining traits passed from parents to offspring.

The study of chromosomes is called cytogenetics. It involves examining the structure, number, and behavior of chromosomes. Abnormalities in chromosome number or structure, known as chromosomal aberrations, can lead to various genetic disorders. Examples include Down syndrome, caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, and Turner syndrome, which occurs when a female has only one X chromosome. Genetic testing often includes karyotyping, a process that visualizes and analyzes an individual's chromosomes. Understanding the chromosomal basis of inheritance is fundamental to genetics and has significant implications for medicine and evolutionary biology.