karyotype (redirected from karyotyping)

kar·y·o·type  (kr--tp)

n.

1. The characterization of the chromosomal complement of an individual or a species, including number, form, and size of the chromosomes.

2. A photomicrograph of chromosomes arranged according to a standard classification.

tr.v. kar·y·o·typed, kar·y·o·typ·ing, kar·y·o·types

To classify and array (the chromosome complement of an organism or a species) according to the arrangement, number, size, shape, or other characteristics of the chromosomes.

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kary·o·typic (-tpk), kary·o·typi·cal adj.

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karyotype  (kr--tp)

Noun

An organized visual profile of the chromosomes in the nucleus of a body cell of an organism. Karyotypes are prepared using cells in the metaphase stage of cell division, when chromosomal strands have coiled together and duplicated, rendering them easily visible under a microscope after staining. Photomicrographs of the stained chromosomes are then arranged in a standard format according to size, the relative position of the centromere, and other criteria. The normal human karyotype consists of 46 chromosomes.

Verb

To prepare the karyotype of an organism.

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karyotype

the aggregate of morphological characteristics of the chromosomes in a cell. — karyotypic, karyotypical, adj.

See also: Cells

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

karyotype - the appearance of the chromosomal makeup of a somatic cell in an individual or species (including the number and arrangement and size and structure of the chromosomes) physical composition, composition, make-up, makeup, constitution - the way in which someone or something is composed