Karyotype

A karyotype is an organized profile of an individual’s chromosomes, which are structures within cells that contain our genetic information. Humans normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes, totaling 46. A karyotype helps visualize these chromosomes, allowing scientists to identify abnormalities such as extra, missing, or damaged chromosomes. This can provide insights into genetic disorders, developmental issues, and certain diseases. Karyotyping is commonly used in medical genetics and prenatal screening to assess the health of an individual or fetus. Overall, the karyotype is a vital tool for understanding genetic composition and its implications for health.