A "chromosome" is a thread-like structure found in the nucleus of a cell that carries genetic information in the form of DNA. Chromosomes are essential for the organization, replication, and transmission of genetic material during cell division and inheritance. Each chromosome consists of a single, long DNA molecule coiled around proteins called histones. Humans and many other organisms have a specific number of chromosomes in each cell nucleus, with the exact number varying among species. Chromosomes contain genes, which are segments of DNA that code for specific proteins or functional RNA molecules, playing a crucial role in determining an organism's traits, development, and overall function.
