[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/chromosome/)

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# chromosome

noun (a chromosome, chromosomes)

«chromosome» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A chromosome is a tiny thread-like structure inside the centre (nucleus) of a living cell, made of DNA, which carries the instructions (genes) for how a living thing grows and works. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chromosome/#m1)
2. Humans usually have 46 chromosomes in each cell, in 23 pairs: one of each pair comes from the mother and one from the father. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chromosome/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons on inheritance and genetics, chromosomes explain why children look like their parents. The X and Y chromosomes are involved in whether a baby is usually born a boy or a girl. Some people are born with an extra chromosome, as in Down syndrome; they are just as valued as anyone. Phrases: «X chromosome», «Y chromosome», «pairs of chromosomes».

### Examples

- Chromosomes are inside the nucleus of a cell. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chromosome/#x1)
- People usually have 23 pairs of chromosomes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chromosome/#x2)
- Each chromosome carries many genes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chromosome/#x3)
- You get half your chromosomes from each parent. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chromosome/#x4)
- People with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chromosome/#x5)
- We looked at a picture of chromosomes under a microscope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chromosome/#x6)

### Note

Countable. Pronounced KROH-muh-sohm. In number problems: 23 pairs = 46 chromosomes (23 × 2); an egg or sperm cell has only half, 23. Chromosomes, genes and DNA are linked: DNA makes up genes, and genes sit on chromosomes.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «chromosome» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/chromosome/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«chromosome» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/chromosome.html) on Mova free.