A self-replicating structure consisting of
DNA complexed with various
proteins and involved in the storage and
transmission of genetic information; the physical structure that contains
genes (cf.
plasmid). Eukaryotic cells have a characteristic number of chromosomes per cell (cf.
ploidy) and contain
DNA as linear duplexes. The chromosomes of bacteria consist of double-standed, circular
DNA molecules.
Source:
PAC, 1992, 64, 143
(Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992))
on page 150
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by
A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997).
XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic,
J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.
