Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

aneuploidy

Noun

/ˈeɪ.njuː.plɔɪ.di/

Definition

Aneuploidy refers to the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, which can result in various genetic disorders.

Examples

Aneuploidy can contribute to conditions such as Down syndrome, which is characterized by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
Researchers are studying the effects of aneuploidy in cancer cells, where abnormal chromosome numbers are common.

Meaning

It typically occurs when there is a loss or gain of one or more chromosomes, leading to a total chromosome number that is not an exact multiple of the haploid number.