centromere

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centromere (kinomere; spindle attachment) The part of a chromosome that attaches to the spindle during cell division (see meiosis; mitosis). Attachment is via a platelike structure called the kinetochore. The position of the centromere is a distinguishing feature of individual chromosomes: a chromosome with the centromere at its centre is described as metacentric; one with the centromere towards one end is acrocentric; and a chromosome with the centromere at either end is telocentric. The centromere usually appears as a constriction when chromosomes contract during cell division; centromeres are associated with repetitive DNA.

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