Definition

Adjective: 1. Having the centromere at the very end: Describes a chromosome whose centromere (the point where the two chromatids are joined) is located at one terminal end, giving the chromosome a straight, rod-like shape rather than the more common V or J shapes.

Usage

The term is used almost exclusively in the fields of genetics, cytogenetics, and cell biology to describe a specific type of chromosome structure. - It is typically used attributively (before a noun) to modify words like "chromosome." - It describes a morphological characteristic observed during cell division (metaphase) when chromosomes are most visible.

Examples

• In a scientific context:
  • The karyotype revealed several telocentric chromosomes.
  • In some species, all chromosomes are telocentric.
  • Researchers studied the mutation's effect on the telocentric chromosome.

Advanced Usage

• Comparative Forms: While rare in everyday language, the comparative "more telocentric" and superlative "most telocentric" can be used in technical discussions comparing chromosome morphology.
  • Chromosome 2 is more telocentric than chromosome 5 in this population.

Variants and Related Words

• Telocentrism (noun): The state or condition of being telocentric.
  • The telocentrism of the chromosomes is a key identifying feature.
• Acrocentric (adjective): Describes a chromosome with the centromere near, but not at, the end. This is a related but distinct morphological type.
• Metacentric (adjective): Describes a chromosome with the centromere in the middle.
• Submetacentric (adjective): Describes a chromosome with the centromere between the middle and the end.

Synonyms

• Terminocentric: A less common synonym used in some technical literature.

Antonyms

• Metacentric: Having a centrally located centromere.
• Submetacentric: Having a centromere located between the center and the end.

Adjective

1. having the form of a straight rod because the centromere is in a terminal position
   • a telocentric chromosome