Centromere
- Pronunciation
- /sen-troh-meer/
- Category
- Genetics
- Singular
- Centromere
- Plural
- Centromeres
Definition
A region of a chromosome to which spindle fibers attach during mitosis and meiosis.
Etymology
From Greek 'kentron', meaning 'center', and '-meros', meaning 'part'.
Example
The position of the centromere determines whether the chromosome will appear as a rod, a J, or a V during migration of the chromosome to the poles in anaphase.