centromere

noun/ˈsɛntroʊmɪr/

Frequency rank: #19,848 most common English word

Meaning

The specialized region of a chromosome that links sister chromatids and serves as the attachment point for spindle fibers during cell division.

Illustration for the English word “centromere”

Example sentence

During cell division, the spindle fibers attach to the chromosome at the centromere.

Synonyms & related words

  • kinetochore
  • constriction

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