chromosome

Term: chromosome

Origin:

Anc Greek
χρώμα* /chroma (=color) <χρώννυμι
σώμα**/ soma(=body) because  these cellular structures are  stained under the microscope.

*χειρ/hir(=hand)< χρίπτω/hripto(=touch or  anoint)

   **  > σύμα/sima(=corpse). Homer (9th cen) referred to word "σώμα" always with the meaning of the corpse.  

Coined

in 1888 by German anatomist Wilhelm von Waldeyer-Hartz (1836-1921)  (German chromosome).

Definition:

structures of DNA and proteins which contain genetic information in every cell . Every human cell has 46 chromosomes with exception of gonads.

 

comments:

 Waldeyer is honoured also  for coining the term neuron (structural unit of the  nervous system) in 1891.