What is a Chromosome?

what is a chromosome to solve problems that explain and predict rates and variations we first have to understand cells all living organisms are composed of cells cells work like little factories doing all the jobs inside your body that are needed to keep your body functioning your body is made up of many different kinds of cells such as skin cells muscle cells and nerve cells some cells look like squashed bricks some look like doughnuts and many have irregular shapes however every cell no matter what it's job has the same basic parts all human cells have an outer border that's the boundary of the cell called the cell membrane a liquid material called cytoplasm is inside the cell membrane and there's a large structure suspended in the cytoplasm called the nucleus the nucleus is the part of a cell that contains the genetic information the nucleus is surrounded by a nuclear membrane that like the cell membrane makes a boundary around the nucleus now let's explore chromosomes chromosomes are thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of animal and plant cells each chromosome is made of protein in a single molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA passed from parents to offspring DNA contains the specific instructions that make each type of living creature unique the term chromosome comes from the Greek words for color chroma and body soma scientists gave this name to chromosomes because they are cell structures or bodies that are strongly stained by some colorful dyes used in research so what do chromosomes actually do the unique structure of chromosomes keeps DNA tightly wrapped around spool like proteins called histones without such packaging DNA molecules would be too long to fit inside cells for an organism to grow and function properly cells must constantly divide to produce new cells to replace old worn-out cells during cell division it's essential that DNA remains intact and evenly distributed among cells chromosomes are a key part of the process that ensures DNA is accurately copied and distributed in the vast majority of cell divisions you

Channel: red Orbit

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Keywords: Health Medical Pharma, Cell biology, Genetics, Chromosomes

Id: xUrlreMaUrs

Length: 2min 58sec (178 seconds)

Published: Thu Feb 28 2013