What is a karyotype?

A karyotype is a visual representation of an individual's chromosomes, which is essential for diagnosing genetic disorders and understanding chromosomal abnormalities. It involves arranging chromosomes in a standard format, typically organized by size and shape, and pairs them to show homologous chromosomes. This representation allows geneticists and medical professionals to examine the number and structure of chromosomes, making it easier to identify any alterations that could relate to various conditions or syndromes.

The significance of having a karyotype lies in its ability to highlight abnormalities such as aneuploidy, where individuals may have an abnormal number of chromosomes, or structural changes like translocations or deletions. The other options pertain to different concepts in genetics and biology but do not describe the function and purpose of a karyotype, which is specifically about visualizing chromosomes for analysis.