Referring to genetic material or genes located outside the chromosomes, typically in mitochondria or chloroplasts.
From Latin 'extra' (outside) + 'chromosome' (from Greek 'chroma' color + 'soma' body, referring to stainable cellular structures). Modern genetics term developed in 20th century.
Your cells have DNA in the chromosomes, but wow—some DNA lives outside the nucleus in mitochondria! This extrachromosomal DNA is inherited only from your mother and behaves like a sneaky genetic rebel.
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