Chromosome Types by Centromere Position — Metacentric, Sub-Metacentric, Acrocentric, Telocentric
✅ Asked in NEET 2025Match List-I with List-II. List-I A. Centromere B. Cilium C. Cristae D. Cell membrane List-II I. Mitochondrion II. Cell division III. Cell movement IV. Phospholipid bilayer (NEET 2025)
Match List-I with List-II. List-I A. Centromere B. Cilium C. Cristae D. Cell membrane List-II I. Mitochondrion II. Cell division III. Cell movement IV. Phospholipid bilayer (NEET 2025)
Match List I with List II: List I A. Metacentric chromosome B. Sub-metacentric chromosome C. Acrocentric chromosome D. Telocentric chromosome List II I. Chromosome has a terminal centromere II. Middle centromere forming two equal arms of chromosome III. Centromere is slightly away from the middle resulting in one shorter arm and one very long arm IV. Centromere is situated close to its end forming one very short and one very long arm NEET 2024
When the centromere is situated in the middle of two equal arms of chromosomes, the chromosome is referred as: NEET 2021
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — A–II, B–III, C–I, D–IV
Centromere is crucial for cell division as it's where spindle fibers attach during mitosis/meiosis. Cilium is involved in cell movement with its beating motion. Cristae are the folded inner membranes of mitochondrion that increase surface area for ATP synthesis. Cell membrane has phospholipid bilayer structure. This matches A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
Every chromosome (visible only in dividing cells) essentially has a primary constriction or the centromere on the sides of which disc shaped structures called kinetochores are present. Centromere holds two chromatids of a chromosome. Based on the position of the centromere, the chromosomes can be classified into four types. The metacentric chromosome has middle centromere forming two equal arms of the chromosome. The sub-metacentric chromosome has centromere slightly away from the middle of the chromosome resulting into one shorter arm and one longer arm. In case of acrocentric chromosome the centromere is situated close to its end forming one extremely short and one very long arm, whereas the telocentric chromosome has a terminal centromere.
Every chromosome (visible only in DIVIDING cells) has a PRIMARY CONSTRICTION called the CENTROMERE, on either side of which sit DISC-SHAPED structures called KINETOCHORES. The centromere holds the TWO CHROMATIDS of a chromosome together. Based on the POSITION of the centromere, chromosomes fall into FOUR TYPES: (1) METACENTRIC — centromere in the MIDDLE → two EQUAL arms. (2) SUB-METACENTRIC — centromere slightly off the middle → one SHORTER arm + one LONGER arm. (3) ACROCENTRIC — centromere CLOSE TO THE END → one EXTREMELY SHORT arm + one VERY LONG arm. (4) TELOCENTRIC — centromere at the TERMINAL end (no short arm). Spindle fibres attach to chromosomes via the kinetochore at the centromere during mitosis/meiosis.
NEET tested this trio: 2025 (organelle match), 2024 (chromosome types), 2021 (metacentric definition). Lock the four centromere positions cold: MIDDLE = metacentric (equal arms), OFF-MIDDLE = sub-metacentric (unequal arms), NEAR END = acrocentric (very short + very long), END = telocentric (terminal). NEET 2024 match: A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I. Cilium-cell movement; cristae-mitochondrion; cell membrane-phospholipid bilayer. Centromere = primary constriction; kinetochore = disc on either side of centromere where spindle attaches.
Acrocentric chromosomes have centromere in the middle, and metacentric chromosomes have a terminal centromere.
METACENTRIC = middle (equal arms). SUB-METACENTRIC = off-middle (short + long). ACROCENTRIC = near end (very short + very long). TELOCENTRIC = terminal (end).
Meta = middle (equal). Sub-meta = slightly off (short + long). Acro = near end (very short + very long). Telo = terminal (end).
- Centromere = primary constriction; KINETOCHORES are disc-shaped structures flanking it where spindle fibres attach.
- Metacentric = middle centromere → two equal arms (NEET 2021 answer).
- Sub-metacentric = slightly off middle → one short + one long arm; Acrocentric = near end → very short + very long arms.
- Telocentric = terminal centromere → no short arm; chromosomes visible only in dividing cells.
Match List I with List II: List I: A. Metacentric chromosome B. Sub-metacentric chromosome C. Acrocentric chromosome D. Telocentric chromosome List II: I. Chromosome has a terminal centromere II. Middle centromere forming two equal arms III. Centromere slightly away from middle → one shorter + one longer arm IV. Centromere close to end → very short + very long arms
View bonus solution & explanation
Correct answer: D — A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I
A-II: METACENTRIC has the centromere in the MIDDLE, forming two EQUAL arms. B-III: SUB-METACENTRIC has centromere SLIGHTLY off middle → one SHORTER + one LONGER arm. C-IV: ACROCENTRIC has centromere CLOSE TO THE END → one VERY SHORT + one VERY LONG arm. D-I: TELOCENTRIC has TERMINAL centromere (at the end, no short arm). Correct option D (NEET 2024 answer). Memory: middle → slightly off → near end → terminal goes meta → sub-meta → acro → telo.
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