English

Adjective

polytene ‎(comparative more polytene, superlative most polytene)

1. (molecular biology) Having very large chromosomes with many strands
   • 1957, Carl P. Swanson, Cytology and Cytogenetics, page 300:

     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, […]

Noun

polytene ‎(plural polytenes)

1. (molecular biology) A very large chromosome with many strands; a chromosome exhibiting polyteny
   • 2002, John Michael Barry, Molecular Embryology, ISBN 156032936X, page 91:

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

Related terms

• polytenic
• polyteny