Chromosomes 

are thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of animal and plant cells. Each chromosome is
made of protein and a single molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Passed from parents to offspring, DNA
contains the specific instructions that make each type of living creature unique.

The unique structure of chromosomes keeps DNA tightly wrapped around spool-like proteins, called
histones. Without such packaging, DNA molecules would be too long to fit inside cells. For example, if all
of the DNA molecules in a single human cell were unwound from their histones and placed end-to-end,
they would stretch 6 feet.

For an organism to grow and function properly, cells must constantly divide to produce new cells to
replace old, worn-out cells. During cell division, it is essential that DNA remains intact and evenly
distributed among cells. Chromosomes are a key part of the process that ensures DNA is accurately
copied and distributed in the vast majority of cell divisions. Still, mistakes do occur on rare occasions.

Chromosomal recombination during meiosis and subsequent sexual reproduction play a significant role in genetic

diversity. If these structures are manipulated incorrectly, through processes known as chromosomal instability and
translocation, the cell may undergo mitotic catastrophe. Usually, this will make the cell initiate apoptosis leading to its
own death, but sometimes mutations in the cell hamper this process and thus cause progression of cancer.
Some use the term chromosome in a wider sense, to refer to the individualized portions of chromatin in cells, either
visible or not under light microscopy. Others use the concept in a narrower sense, to refer to the individualized
portions of chromatin during cell division, visible under light microscopy due to high condensation.

Contents

 1Etymology
 2History of discovery
 3Prokaryotes
o 3.1Structure in sequences
o 3.2DNA packaging
 4Eukaryotes
o 4.1Interphase chromatin
o 4.2Metaphase chromatin and division
o 4.3Human chromosomes
 5Number in various organisms
o 5.1In eukaryotes
o 5.2In prokaryotes
 6Karyotype
o 6.1History and analysis techniques
 7Aberrations
o 7.1Sperm aneuploidy
 8See also
 9Notes and references
 10External links

Etymology[edit]
The word chromosome (/ˈkroʊməˌsoʊm, -ˌzoʊm/[7][8]) comes from the Greek χρῶμα (chroma, "colour")
and σῶμα (soma, "body"), describing their strong staining by particular dyes.[9] The term was coined by the German
anatomist Heinrich Wilhelm Waldeyer,[10] referring to the term chromatin, which was introduced by Walther Flemming,
the discoverer of cell division.
Some of the early karyological terms have become outdated.[11][12] For example, Chromatin (Flemming 1880) and
Chromosom (Waldeyer 1888), both ascribe color to a non-colored state.[13]