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Definition of "karyotype" []

  • The characterization of the chromosomal complement of an individual or a species, including number, form, and size of the chromosomes. (noun)
  • A photomicrograph of chromosomes arranged according to a standard classification. (noun)
  • 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. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "karyotype" in a sentence
  • "DNA is bundled inside cells as chromosomes; a karyotype is a representation of all of the chromosomes in a cell."
  • "Evans MI, Klinger KW, Isada NB, Shook D, Holzgreve W, McGuire N, Johnson MP: Rapid prenatal diagnosis by fluorescent in situ hybridization of chorionic villi: an adjunct to long term culture and karyotype."
  • "Cancer Cytogenetics Laboratory: tissue biopsies and bone marrow aspirates for karyotype and SNP array."