What is a karyotype?

A karyotype is accurately defined as a visual representation of an individual's chromosomes. In this representation, chromosomes are typically arranged in pairs and organized according to their size, shape, and number. This allows for the examination of chromosome abnormalities, such as aneuploidy (an abnormal number of chromosomes) or structural abnormalities (like deletions, duplications, or translocations). Karyotyping is an important tool in genetics and medicine for diagnosing genetic disorders and understanding chromosomal conditions.

The other options refer to different biological concepts. For instance, genetic mutations pertain to alterations in the DNA sequence, while DNA sequencing is a method used to determine the precise order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule. Additionally, cell division involves processes like mitosis and meiosis, which are responsible for reproduction and growth, but not visual representation of chromosomes.