Chromosomes

Structures inside the nucleus of a cell, made up of long pieces of DNA coated with specialized cell proteins, that are duplicated at each mitotic cell division. Chromosomes thus transmit the genes of the organism from one generation to the next.

Nucleic acid-protein structures in the nucleus of a cell. Chromosomes are composed chiefly of DNA, the carrier of hereditary information. Chromosomes contain genes, working subunits of DNA that carry the genetic code for specific proteins, interspersed with large amounts of DNA of unknown function. A normal human body cell contains 46 chromosomes; a normal human gamete, 23 chromosomes.

The self-replicating genetic structure of cells containing the cellular DNA. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes.