What does the chromosome theory state?

Answer 1

A chromosome is a single large macromolecule of DNA, and is the basic 'unit' of DNA in a cell. It is a very long, continuous piece of DNA (a single DNA molecule), which contains many genes, regulatory elements and other intervening nucleotide sequences. A broader definition of "chromosome" also includes the DNA-bound proteins which serve to package and manage the DNA. The word chromosome comes from the Greek χρώμα (chroma, color) and σώμα (soma, body) due to its capacity to be stained very strongly with vital and supravital dyes.

Chromosomes vary extensively between different organisms. The DNA molecule may be circular or linear, and can contain anything from tens of kilobase pairs to hundreds of megabase pairs. Typically eukaryotic cells have large linear chromosomes and prokaryotic cells smaller circular chromosomes; although there are many exceptions to this rule. Furthermore, cells may contain more than one type of chromosome; for example mitochondria in most eukaryotes and chloroplasts in plants have their own small chromosome in addition to the nuclear chromosomes.

In eukaryotes nuclear chromosomes are packaged by proteins (particularly histones and acidic proteins) into chromatin to fit the massive molecules into the nucleus. The structure of chromatin varies as the cell goes through the cell cycle, and is responsible for the compaction of DNA into the classic four-arm structure during mitosis and meiosis. Prokaryotes do not form chromatin because they do not synthesize the required proteins; furthermore, this would be sterically prevented by the circular conformation assumed by DNA in some prokaryotes.

"Chromosome" is a rather loosely defined term. In eukaryotes a small circular DNA molecule may be called either a plasmid or a small chromosome. In viruses, mitochondria, and chloroplasts their DNA molecules are commonly referred to as chromosomes, despite being naked molecules, as they constitute the complete genome of the organism or organelle

Answer 2

A chromosome is a single large macromolecule of DNA, and is the basic 'unit' of DNA in a cell. It is a very long, continuous piece of DNA (a single DNA molecule), which contains many genes, regulatory elements and other intervening nucleotide sequences. A broader definition of "chromosome" also includes the DNA-bound proteins which serve to package and manage the DNA. The word chromosome comes from the Greek χρώμα (chroma, color) and σώμα (soma, body) due to its capacity to be stained very strongly with vital and supravital dyes.


Chromosomes vary extensively between different organisms. The DNA molecule may be circular or linear, and can contain anything from tens of kilobase pairs to hundreds of megabase pairs. Typically eukaryotic cells have large linear chromosomes and prokaryotic cells smaller circular chromosomes; although there are many exceptions to this rule. Furthermore, cells may contain more than one type of chromosome; for example mitochondria in most eukaryotes and chloroplasts in plants have their own small chromosome in addition to the nuclear chromosomes

this is the theory of chromosome not the one stated above only this much counts to the theory and still people gave him 2 thumbs up.
such a disguise.

Answer 3

The theory that chromosomes are linear sequences of genes. The unifying theory stating that inheritance patterns may be generally explained by assuming that genes are located in specific sites on chromosomes.

Answer 4

This theory states that:

Chromosomes are carriers of genes, which are arranged in linear fashion.
Elucidation of this theory was the single most important contribution of T. H. Morgan. This theory is a landmark in genetics.

You can expand on it by going through a book on Genetics.