polytene

comparative more polytene · superlative most polytene

1. molecular biologyHaving very large chromosomes with many chromatids (arms).

   When this was done, it could be shown that the production of polytene chromosomes is not uniform for all chromosomes of a single nucleus, ie, some chromosomes are more polytene than others, […]

   1957, Carl P. Swanson, Cytology and Cytogenetics, page 300

plural polytenes

1. molecular biologyA very large chromosome with many chromatids (arms); a chromosome exhibiting polyteny

   Unlike normal chromosomes, polytenes are visible in a microscope even when cell division is not taking place.

   2002, John Michael Barry, Molecular Embryology, →ISBN, page 91