SINCE 1828
B chromosome
noun
variants:
also B-chromosome
Medical Definition of B chromosome
: a small, usually heterochromatic chromosome present in addition to the normal complement of chromosomes in some members of a species
Note: B chromosomes do not contain any structural genes and have a highly variable pattern of inheritance separate from that of the normal chromosomal complement. They are most often found in plants and invertebrates.
Comments on B chromosome
What made you want to look up B chromosome? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!
-
- Which is a synonym of fuliginous?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!
No tricks, just difficult words.
Take the quiz -
Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?
Which word entered the English language first?
Take the quiz -
Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz -
Dictionary Devil
The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?
Play the game
Share B chromosome
Resources for B chromosome