Number of centromeres present in acentric chromosome

Options

A. 2
B. 3
C. 2
D. 0

Answer

To solve the question regarding the number of centromeres present in an acentric chromosome, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Chromosome Structure**:
- A chromosome is made up of chromatin and has a central part known as the centromere. The centromere is crucial for the proper segregation of chromosomes during cell division.

2. **Defining Acentric Chromosome**:
- An acentric chromosome is defined as a chromosome that lacks a centromere. The prefix "a-" means "without," so "acentric" literally means "without a centromere."

3. **Causes of Acentric Chromosomes**:
- Acentric chromosomes can arise due to chromosomal damage. This damage can occur due to various factors such as mutagens, carcinogens, or hereditary variations.

4. **Impact on Cell Division**:
- During cell division, spindle fibers attach to the centromeres to pull chromosomes apart. Since acentric chromosomes do not have a centromere, they cannot attach to spindle fibers.

5. **Fate of Acentric Chromosomes**:
- Because acentric chromosomes cannot be properly segregated during cell division, they are often lost in the process. They do not serve any functional purpose in the cell due to the absence of a centromere.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the number of centromeres present in an acentric chromosome is **0**.

### Final Answer:
The number of centromeres present in an acentric chromosome is **0**.

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