Karyotype (Noun)
Meaning
The appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes).
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The karyotype of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster consists of four pairs of chromosomes, including a pair of sex chromosomes.
- To determine the genetic cause of her infertility, the doctor ordered a karyotype analysis of the woman's cells.
- Each species has a unique karyotype that can be used to identify it and distinguish it from other species.
- The aberrant karyotype of the cancer cells indicated a genetic mutation that was driving the growth and spread of the tumor.
- By examining the karyotype of an individual, geneticists can identify chromosomal abnormalities such as aneuploidy or translocations.