Question

The term chromosomes literally means
A. Inherited antibodies
B. Twisted threads
C. Colored bodies
D. Shining threads

Answer 1

A chromosome is a long molecule of DNA which contains part or all of the genetic material of an organism. Chromosomes are thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of cells of various organisms e.g. plants and animals and each chromosome is made of protein and a single molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA passed from parents to their offspring contains the specific instructions that make each type of living creature unique. Most eukaryotic chromosomes contain proteins called histones which help in packaging, aided by chaperone proteins, bind to and condense the DNA molecule to maintain its integrity.

Complete answer:
The word chromosome comes from the Greek word chroma which means "colour" and word soma which means "body". The chromosome word is describing their strong staining by particular dyes. In 1888, the term was coined by the German anatomist 'Heinrich Wilhelm Waldeyer', earlier in 1880, the term chromatin was coined by Walther Flemming.
Each chromosome has a constriction called the centromere. The centromere divides the chromosome into two sections called “arms”, the short arm of the is labeled as the “p arm” and the long arm of the chromosome is labeled as the “q arm.”
The centromere's location on each chromosome gives the chromosome its characteristic shape, and also helps in describing the location of specific genes.
Histones are basic proteins abundant in lysine and arginine residues. They act as spools around which DNA wraps to create structural units called nucleosomes, chaperone proteins are also present which also helps in packaging.
The hereditary information is carried out by Chromosomes in the form of genes.
Human cells have 46 chromosomes with a combined length of 200 nm (1 nm = 10− 9 metre); if the chromosomes unravel the genetic material they contain would measure roughly 2 metres (about 6.5 feet) in length. The compactness of chromosomes helps in organizing genetic material and enables the genetic material to fit into the nucleus.
The chromosome structure and location are among the chief differences between viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes. The nonliving viruses have chromosomes consisting of either DNA or RNA and this genetic material is very tightly packed into the viral head.
Prokaryotic cells (i.e., bacteria and blue-green algae) the chromosomes consist entirely of DNA and this single chromosome of a prokaryotic cell is not enclosed inside a nuclear membrane. Among eukaryotes, the chromosomes are contained in a membrane-bound organelle inside the cell called nucleus and The chromosomes consist primarily of DNA attached to a protein core, they also contain RNA. Every eukaryotic species has a characteristic number of chromosomes, e.g. there are 46 chromosomes in each cell of human beings.

So the correct answer is option C). Colored bodies.

Note:
If the number or structure of chromosomes changes in new cells it may lead to serious problems.eg in human beings, a type of leukemia and some other cancers are caused by defective chromosomes made up of joined pieces of broken chromosomes.The number of chromosomes in eggs and sperms should have the right number of chromosomes, if it is not then the resulting offspring may fail to develop properly, one such example of this is Down Syndrome. The persons having Downs syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21, instead of the two copies found in healthy individuals.