Letter A

Acrocentric chromosome

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A chromosome (one of the microscopically visible carriers of the genetic material DNA) with its centromere (the 'waist' of the chromosome) located quite near one end of the chromosome.

The 'acro-' in acrocentric comes from the Greek 'akron' meaning 'the end.' Humans have 5 pairs of acrocentric chromosomes.

Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is due to an extra acrocentric chromosome, namely chromosome 21.</P> A chromosome with a centromere near one end.

Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is due to an extra acrocentric chromosome.

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