NEETBotanyCell - The Unit of Life
What is a metacentric chromosome?
Options
- AA chromosome with a middle centromere forming two equal arms
- BA chromosome with a centromere slightly away from the middle
- CA chromosome with a centromere close to its end
- DA chromosome with a terminal centromere
Correct answer
A. A chromosome with a middle centromere forming two equal arms
Step-by-step solution
Based on the position of the centromere, the chromosomes can be classified into four types. The metacentric chromosome has middle centromere forming two equal arms of the chromosome . The sub-metacentric chromosome has centromere slightly away from the middle of the chromosome resulting into one shorter arm and one longer arm. In case of acrocentric chromosome the centromere is situated close to its end forming one extremely short and one very long arm, whereas the telocentric chromosome has a terminal centromere.