chromosome

Etymology

19th century: from German Chromosom, ultimately from Ancient Greek χρῶμα (khrôma, “colour”) + σῶμα (sôma, “body”) (because they are stained under the microscope). Equivalent to chromo- + -some.

noun

1. (cytology, genetics) A linear arrangement of condensed DNA and associated proteins (such as chaperone proteins) which contains the genetic material (genome) of an organism.
   Chromosomes store genetic information.
   A length of DNA is divided into segments called chromosomes and shorter individual units called genes. 2019, Bill Bryson, The Body: A Guide for Occupants, Black Swan (2020), page 7