Chromosomes from NHGRI

This is an image of chromosomes from National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Linear chromosomes contain both centromeres and telomeres. Centromeres help keep chromosomes properly aligned during the complex process of cell division. Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes in a manner similar to the way tips of shoelaces keep them from unraveling. Credit: Darryl Leja and Ernesto del Aguila, NHGRI