karyotype

The physical appearance of chromosomes from an individual or species as seen at mitotic metaphase. Cells from the root meristem are commonly used, suitably stained, usually with acetic orcein or acetocarmine. The number, size, and shape of chromosomes in a set is usually highly characteristic of a species and often also constant within a genus. The karyotype is most conveniently studied by forming a *karyogram.