Chromosome 11

Chromosome 11 (/kroʊˈmoʊ.soʊm/ kroh-MOH-som) is one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans. Humans normally have two copies of this chromosome. Chromosome 11 spans about 135 million base pairs (the building material of DNA) and represents between 4 and 4.5 percent of the total DNA in cells.

Etymology

The term "chromosome" comes from the Greek words for color (chroma) and body (soma). Scientists gave this name to chromosomes because they are cell structures, or bodies, that are strongly stained by some colorful dyes used in research.

Structure

Chromosome 11, like all chromosomes, is composed of both protein and DNA. The chromosome is divided into two sections, or "arms," labeled p (the shorter of the two) and q (the longer). They meet at a point called the centromere. Scientists use these labels when they talk about specific parts of chromosomes.

Genes

Chromosome 11 likely contains 1,300 to 1,400 genes that provide instructions for making proteins. These proteins have a wide variety of functions. Some of the genes on chromosome 11 include HBB: Hemoglobin subunit beta, MEN1: Menin 1, PAX6: Paired box 6, and WT1: Wilms tumor 1.

Related Terms

Genome: The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.
Gene: The basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Genes are made up of DNA.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material which is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.
Protein: Large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.
Cell: The basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms.