Term: chromosome
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01077

Definition:
A self-replicating structure consisting of DNA complexed with various proteins and involved in the storage and transmission of genetic information; the physical structure that contains genes (cf. plasmid). Eukaryotic cells have a characteristic number of chromosomes per cell (cf. ploidy) and contain DNA as linear duplexes. The chromosomes of bacteria consist of double-standed, circular DNA molecules.

Related Terms:
1) dna (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01597).
2) genes (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02604).
3) plasmid (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04689).
4) ploidy (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04696).
5) proteins (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04898).
6) transmission (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06477).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 150 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'chromosome' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01077

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