What term refers to a picture showing the complete diploid set of chromosomes grouped in pairs by size?

Prepare for your Honors Biology Final Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions complete with hints and explanations. Score high on your exam!

Multiple Choice

What term refers to a picture showing the complete diploid set of chromosomes grouped in pairs by size?

Explanation:
A karyotype is a visual map of an organism’s chromosomes: the complete diploid set arranged in homologous pairs from largest to smallest. This picture captures chromosome number, size, and structure in one view, making it easy to spot abnormalities like extra or missing chromosomes and to identify the sex chromosomes. It’s typically made by looking at cells arrested in metaphase and stained to show banding patterns, then lined up in a standard order. This concept differs from a genome, which is the entire DNA sequence present in the organism, not a visual chart. An autosome refers to any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome, and a sex-linked gene describes a gene located on a sex chromosome, not the chart itself.

A karyotype is a visual map of an organism’s chromosomes: the complete diploid set arranged in homologous pairs from largest to smallest. This picture captures chromosome number, size, and structure in one view, making it easy to spot abnormalities like extra or missing chromosomes and to identify the sex chromosomes. It’s typically made by looking at cells arrested in metaphase and stained to show banding patterns, then lined up in a standard order. This concept differs from a genome, which is the entire DNA sequence present in the organism, not a visual chart. An autosome refers to any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome, and a sex-linked gene describes a gene located on a sex chromosome, not the chart itself.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy