Textbooks and wikipedia seem to disagree with my teacher but as they aren't 100% clear I'm not sure. So can someone confirm that my understanding is correct or correct it if I am wrong: the X shaped structure is called a chromosome the individual strands of the X structure are called chromatids and single strands (on their own) are also called chromosomes Thanks
Chromatid: Each of the two strands of chromatin comprising a duplicated chromosome. The term is applied only while the two chromatids are joined at the centromere. As soon as the centromere divides, setting the two chromatids adrift , they are called chromosomes.
You're basically correct, as t.e.e. says. That part of biology confused the hell out of me for a fair old bit. Remembering all the stages of meioisis is even worse! Just remember that they're only chromatids when they're part of a chromosome. Otherwise they're chromosomes
