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.

• "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."