kromosoomin

Kromosoomin is a biological structure found within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. It is composed of DNA that is tightly coiled around proteins called histones. This coiling allows the extremely long DNA molecule to fit inside the cell nucleus. Chromosomes are the carriers of genetic information, organized into genes, which determine an organism's traits.

In most organisms, chromosomes exist in pairs. Humans, for example, have 23 pairs of chromosomes, totaling 46. One chromosome from each pair is inherited from each parent. The number and structure of chromosomes are characteristic of a particular species. Deviations from the normal number or structure of chromosomes can lead to genetic disorders.

During cell division, chromosomes undergo replication and are precisely segregated into daughter cells, ensuring that each new cell receives a complete set of genetic material. The study of chromosomes, known as cytogenetics, is crucial for understanding inheritance, genetic diseases, and evolutionary relationships.