centromere

[ sen-truh-meer ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. a specialized structure on the chromosome, appearing during cell division as the constricted central region where the two chromatids are held together and form an X shape.

centromere

/ ˌsɛntrəˈmɛrɪk; ˈsɛntrəˌmɪə; -ˈmɪərɪk /

noun

1. the dense nonstaining region of a chromosome that attaches it to the spindle during mitosis

centromere

/ sĕn′trə-mîr′ /

1. The region of the chromosome to which the spindle fiber is attached during cell division (both mitosis and meiosis). The centromere is the constricted point at which the two chromatids forming the chromosome are joined together.
2. See more at meiosis

Derived Forms

• centromeric, adjective

Other Words From

• cen·tro·mer·ic [sen-tr, uh, -, mer, -ik, -, meer, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of centromere¹

First recorded in 1920–25; centro- + -mere

Example Sentences

It’s been one of the great mysteries of biology that all eukaryotes—all plants, animals, people, trees, flowers and higher organisms—have centromeres.

From Time

One of the biggest finds may be the structure of all of the human centromeres.

From Science News

These shared epigenetic marks were concentrated in certain parts of the genome, including centromere and telomere regions on chromosomes.

From Science News

Learning more about centromeres may help researchers understand why chromosome division sometimes goes wrong, leading to cancer or genetic conditions such as Down syndrome.

From Science News