AMORPHIC ALLELE Meaning and
Definition
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An amorphic allele, also known as a null or loss-of-function allele, is a type of genetic variant that lacks the ability to produce a functional protein or enzyme. It is characterized by a mutation or alteration in the DNA sequence which disrupts the coding region of a gene, rendering it inactive or non-functional. As a result, the affected individual may not express the specific trait or phenotype associated with the normal or wild-type allele.
Amorphic alleles can have profound effects on the functioning of an organism, as they often result in the loss or reduction of essential gene products required for normal biological processes. The severity of the phenotype can vary depending on the specific gene and mutation involved. In some cases, the amorphic allele may lead to complete loss of function, causing a complete absence of the protein or enzyme. In other cases, the mutation may produce a partially functioning protein or result in reduced levels of the functional gene product.
Amorphic alleles are usually inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that two copies of the mutated allele are required for the phenotype to be expressed. However, in some instances, amorphic alleles may also exhibit dominant or semi-dominant inheritance patterns. The study of amorphic alleles and their effects on gene expression is crucial in understanding genetic disorders and diseases, as well as in the development of targeted therapies and treatments.
Common Misspellings for AMORPHIC ALLELE
- zmorphic allele
- smorphic allele
- wmorphic allele
- qmorphic allele
- anorphic allele
- akorphic allele
- ajorphic allele
- amirphic allele
- amkrphic allele
- amlrphic allele
- amprphic allele
- am0rphic allele
- am9rphic allele
- amoephic allele
- amodphic allele
- amofphic allele
- amotphic allele
- amo5phic allele
- amo4phic allele
- amorohic allele
Etymology of AMORPHIC ALLELE
The term "amorphic allele" is derived from the combination of two terms: "amorphic" and "allele".
The term "amorphic" is derived from the Greek word "amorphos", which means "without form" or "shapeless". In genetics, an "amorphic" allele refers to a type of mutation that completely eliminates the function of a specific gene. It is often used synonymously with "null" or "loss-of-function" mutation.
The term "allele" has its roots in the German word "Allel", which was first used by the Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen in the early 20th century. "Allel" comes from the Greek term "allelon", meaning "one another" or "each other". In genetics, an "allele" refers to one of the different versions of a particular gene.
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