Chromosome Number

Chromosomes are the structural units of cells that contain genetic information. The chromosome number is the total number of chromosomes present in a given cell. It is essential for cell division and aiding in the development of the organism. Chromosomes are composed of DNA molecules, the genetic carriers of all organisms, thus the number of chromosomes is directly related to the genetic diversity and complexity of the organism. In animals, the chromosome number is typically given as a pair, one set inherited from the mother and one set from the father. In plants, the chromosome number is usually a multiple of the basic haploid number. Chromosome number also plays an important role in determining the susceptibility to genetic diseases such as Down Syndrome, which is due to extra copies of chromosomes. The knowledge of chromosome number is also utilized in many breeding programs to produce high quality stock and in DNA fingerprinting, a relatively new technology used in forensics.