Definition

Noun: A chromosome characterized by having two arms of approximately equal length, resulting from the centromere (the region that joins the two sister chromatids) being positioned at or near the middle of the chromosome.

Usage

The term is used in genetics, cytogenetics, and cell biology to describe and classify chromosome morphology based on the position of the centromere. * During karyotype analysis, the metacentric chromosomes are easily identifiable as they appear V-shaped during anaphase. * Human chromosomes 1 and 3 are examples of metacentric chromosomes.

Advanced Usage

• Karyotyping: In a standard human karyotype, chromosomes are arranged and numbered partly based on centromere position, with metacentric chromosomes being one category.
  • The cytogeneticist noted several metacentric chromosomes in the patient's karyotype.
• Comparative Genomics: The presence or absence of metacentric chromosomes can be used in evolutionary studies to trace chromosomal rearrangements between species.
  • The study compared the metacentric chromosomes of the two closely related primate species.

Variants and Related Words

• Metacentric (adjective): Describing the property of having a centrally located centromere.
  • Chromosome 19 has a metacentric configuration.
• Submetacentric chromosome (noun): A chromosome whose centromere is located between the middle and the end, resulting in arms of unequal length.
• Acrocentric chromosome (noun): A chromosome with the centromere very near one end.
• Telocentric chromosome (noun): A chromosome with the centromere at the very end (not typically found in human karyotypes).

Synonyms

• V-shaped chromosome (descriptive synonym based on appearance during cell division).

Different Meanings

This is a specialized scientific term with a single, specific meaning in biology. It does not have common alternative meanings in everyday language.

Noun

1. a chromosome having two equal arms because the centromere is in median position