Karyotype

Abstract

The karyotype is the ordered image of chromosomes found in the cell nucleus. The human karyotype is composed of 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes for a diploid number of 46. Chromosome can be studied using classical staining, chromosome banding, and molecular methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Karyotypes can be used to characterize cells, individuals, or species, and to analyze phylogenomic and evolutionary relationships.