noun
- The material that makes up chromosomes, consisting of DNA and proteins; chromatin.
Usage: biology; technical; largely historical or specialized usage; 'chromatin' is the modern preferred term
Examples
- Early cytologists used the term karyotin to describe the staining material within the cell nucleus.
- The karyotin condenses during cell division to form visible chromosomes.
- Modern biologists prefer the term chromatin over the older karyotin.
- Under the microscope, karyotin appears as a network of fine threads in the nucleus.