acrocentric chromosome

9.2

A chromosome with its centromere near one end, giving one very short arm and one long arm

noun
/ˌækrəˈsɛntrɪk ˈkɹoʊməsom/

Specialized

: cromosoma acrocentrico

Researchers observed that the acrocentric chromosome had a short p arm and a much longer q arm under the microscope.

Examples

Down syndrome is associated with a trisomy of an acrocentric chromosome, specifically chromosome 21.
In humans, the acrocentric chromosomes include chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22.
In humans, several chromosomes are classified as acrocentric chromosomes because of the position of their centromeres.
The acrocentric chromosome has a unique structure.
In humans, several chromosomes are classified as acrocentric chromosomes because of the position of their centromeres.
Researchers observed that the acrocentric chromosome had a short p arm and a much longer q arm under the microscope.
In humans, the acrocentric chromosomes include chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22.

How Off-center

telocentric chromosome

Specialized

9.2

acrocentric chromosome

Specialized

9.2

metacentric chromosome

Specialized

8.9

Surface Forms

acrocentric chromosome singular

acrocentric chromosomes plural

Morphology

acrocentric + chromosome

The adjective 'acrocentric' explicitly describes a chromosome with the centromere near one end (short p arm, long q arm), so combining it with 'chromosome' yields a directly compositional meaning. This is a regular adjective+noun modification that a learner who knows both constituent definitions can readily understand.

Etymology

Acrocentric chromosome describes a chromosome whose centromere sits very near one end, so it has a very small short arm on one side and a much longer long arm on the other. That's why the name refers to a chromosome with this uneven shape.