Chromonema

/ˌkroʊmoʊˈniːmə/ noun

Definition

A single strand or thread-like fiber of a chromosome visible during cell division, consisting of coiled DNA and proteins.

Etymology

From Greek 'chroma' (color) + 'nema' (thread). This microscopic anatomy term comes from early 20th-century cytology when scientists observed chromosomes separating.

Kelly Says

During cell division, chromosomes condense so tightly that under the microscope they look like colorful threads—those threads are chromonema, and they're actually millions of bases of DNA wrapped up incredibly tightly.

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