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![[-- chromosome --]](Images/Terms/chromos.gif){kind=small}
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| defined: |
One of the threadlike "packages" of genes and other DNA in the nucleus of a cell. Different kinds of organisms have different numbers of chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 in all: 44 autosomes and two sex chromosomes. Each parent contributes one chromosome to each pair, so children get half of their chromosomes from their mothers and half from their fathers.
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| explained: |
Listen to a detailed explanation.
Dr. Eric Green, of the National Human Genome Research Institute's Genome Technology Branch, defines chromosome. |
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| illustrated: | View illustration | |
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related terms: |
autosome, birth defect, cell, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), gene, nucleus, protein, sex chromosome | |
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