1. Of or relating to a chromosome in which the centromere is located near one end, resulting in one very short arm and one long arm.
Usage: technical; genetics

1. A chromosome with the centromere positioned near one end.
Usage: technical; genetics

Examples

• Human chromosome 21 is an acrocentric chromosome.
• Acrocentric chromosomes have a distinctive appearance under the microscope due to their asymmetrical arm lengths.
• The geneticist identified the acrocentric nature of the chromosome by analyzing its banding pattern.
• In humans, the acrocentric chromosomes include chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22.
• The acrocentric structure makes these chromosomes prone to certain types of rearrangements.