chromatin

[ kroh-muh-tin ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. the readily stainable substance of a cell nucleus, consisting of DNA, RNA, and various proteins, that forms chromosomes during cell division.

chromatin

/ ˈkrəʊmətɪn /

noun

1. cytology the part of the nucleus that consists of DNA and proteins, forms the chromosomes, and stains with basic dyes See also euchromatin heterochromatin

chromatin

/ krō′mə-tĭn /

1. The substance distributed in the nucleus of a cell that condenses to form chromosomes during cell division. It consists mainly of DNA and proteins called histones .

Derived Forms

• ˌchromaˈtinic, adjective
• ˈchromaˌtoid, adjective

Other Words From

• chroma·tinic adjective
• chroma·toid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromatin¹

First recorded in 1880–85; chromat- + -in ²

Example Sentences

So it’s not only that genes are being turned on and off, it’s also that this changing of the open or closed chromatin is helping regulate the expression of these important genes for regeneration.

From Popular-Science

That’s when Marco realized that the architectural changes to the chromatin were preparing the cells to reinforce the memories when they were recalled.

From Quanta Magazine

There’s much more to learn about these changes in chromatin architecture.

From Quanta Magazine

Malarial parasites stain characteristically: the cytoplasm, sky-blue; the chromatin, reddish-purple.

From Project Gutenberg

Typical "segmenters" present a ring of rounded segments or spores, each with a small, dot-like chromatin mass.

From Project Gutenberg

Half the chromatin material passes into each of the two cells formed.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus sex is inherited, like other characters, by the action of the chromatin material of the cell nucleus.

From Project Gutenberg

When the cell is resting, the chromatin is dispersed through the nucleus in a mass of broken lines, forming a kind of network.

From Project Gutenberg