polytene

English

Etymology

poly- +‎ -tene

Adjective

A polytene chromosome from fly salivary gland (colored)

polytene (comparative more polytene, superlative most polytene)

1. (molecular biology) Having very large chromosomes with many chromatids (arms).
   • 1957, Carl P. Swanson, Cytology and Cytogenetics‎^[1], page 300:

     When this was done, it could be shown that the production of polytene chromosomes is not uniform for all chromosomes of a single nucleus, ie, some chromosomes are more polytene than others, […]

Noun

polytene (plural polytenes)

1. (molecular biology) A very large chromosome with many chromatids (arms); a chromosome exhibiting polyteny
   • 2002, John Michael Barry, Molecular Embryology‎^[2], →ISBN, page 91:

     Unlike normal chromosomes, polytenes are visible in a microscope even when cell division is not taking place.

Related terms

• polytenic
• polyteny