Part of a chromosome containing no genes, but controlling chromosome activity, located at the point lying on the equator of the spindle at metaphase during mitosis and which divides at the anaphase (see figure below for its relationships with other components of a chromosome).
A chromosome (right) from a cell nucleus (left) showing the position of a centromere relative to the telomeres at the tips of the chromosome. A telomere is a segment of DNA that is believed to prevent the loss of genetic information from the chromosome during replication. It also thought that there is a link between telomere shortening and cell senescence or ageing.
See Anaphase, Chromatid, Chromosome, Metaphase, Meiosis (or reduction division), Mitosis, Nucleus (of a cell), Prophase, Spindle