Chromosome Number
Definition
Chromosome number refers to the total count of chromosomes present in an organism's cell nucleus. It is a characteristic feature of species and can vary widely.
Analogy
Think of chromosome number like the number of books in a library. Each species (or library) has a different number of books (chromosomes), but each book contains important information (genes) necessary for the function and identity of that library.
Related terms
Karyotype: The number and visual appearance of the chromosomes in the cell nuclei of an organism or species.
Autosome: Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome.
Sex Chromosome: A type of chromosome responsible for determining the sex of an organism, typically one of two kinds.
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