When the centromere is situated in the middle of two equal arms of chromosomes, the chromosome is referred as:
Answer: (C) Metacentric. Answer: Metacentric Solution: When the centromere lies in the middle of the chromosome dividing it into two equal arms, it is metacentric.
- A.Sub-metacentric
- B.Acrocentric
- C.Metacentric✓
- D.Telocentric
Correct Answer
(C) Metacentric
Solution & Explanation
Answer: Metacentric Solution: When the centromere lies in the middle of the chromosome dividing it into two equal arms, it is metacentric. If slightly off-centre giving unequal arms it is sub-metacentric; near one end (very short arm) it is acrocentric; and at the terminal end it is telocentric. NCERT describes the centromere as the point holding the two chromatids together; the classification of chromosomes by centromere position is a standard extension built on this. NCERT Reference: Ch 10, p.123, lines 14-15 — "two sister chromatids, which are held together\nby the centromere" Scope note: Classification of chromosomes by centromere position (metacentric/sub-metacentric/acrocentric/telocentric) is chromosome morphology and is not part of the NCERT Ch 10 prose; included here as it appeared in the NEET paper.