Centromere (Noun)
Meaning
A specialized condensed region of each chromosome that appears during mitosis where the chromatids are held together to form an X shape; "the centromere is difficult to sequence".
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The sister chromatids are attached to each other at a specialized region called the centromere.
- In prophase I, a process known as crossing over can occur, allowing the chromosomes to recombine, although it cannot occur near the centromere.
- As cells enter the next stage of cell division, known as anaphase, the sister chromatids will be separated and the centromere will appear to be pulling the two daughter chromatids apart.
- Using biochemical assays and techniques, it is clear that certain chromatin associated proteins can modify or remold chromatin and specific mutations have significant consequences to chromosome inheritance via failure at the centromere.
- Understanding centromere remodeling and how it affects the separation of chromosomes could explain potential avenues to improving a procedure.