In addition to the normal karyotype made up of A chromosomes, wild populations of many animal, plant, and fungi species contain B chromosomes (also known as supernumerary, accessory, (conditionally-)dispensable, or lineage-specific chromosomes; also dispensomes). By definition, these chromosomes are not essential for the life of a species, and are lacking in some (usually most) of the individuals.
In addition to the normal karyotype made up of A chromosomes, wild populations of many animal, plant, and fungi species contain B chromosomes (also known as supernumerary, accessory, (conditionally-)dispensable, or lineage-specific chromosomes; also dispensomes). By definition, these chromosomes are not essential for the life of a species, and are lacking in some (usually most) of the individuals.
Source: Wikipedia "B chromosome" · CC BY-SA 4.0
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