chromonema Biol.
(krəʊməˈniːmə)
Pl. chromonemata (-ˈniːmətə).
[a. G. chromonema (F. Vejdovsky 1912, in Probl. d. Vererbungsträger ii. 130), f. chromo- 2 + Gr. νῆµα thread.]
The coiled threadlike core of a chromatid, believed by some to be the carrier of the genes.
| 1925 E. B. Wilson Cell (ed. 3) 1128 Chromonema, a fine basichromatic thread from which arises the spireme-thread. 1934 [see genonema, genoneme]. 1954 Science News XXXIV. 71 Chromosomes consist of a number of tightly coiled threads—chromonemata—embedded in a matrix. 1957 Encycl. Brit. VI. 943/2 After the two daughter chromosome groups reach the poles each chromosome gradually takes on the appearance of a delicate, coiled thread... It is the chromonema..and represents the true, permanent part of the chromosome, including the hereditary materials. 1963 I. F. & W. D. Henderson Dict. Biol. Terms (ed. 8) 101/1 Chromonema, a coiled or convoluted thread in prophase of mitosis; central thread in chromosome. |