CHIMERISM Meaning and
Definition
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Chimerism is a medical term that refers to the presence of two genetically distinct cell populations within an individual's body. It occurs when two different fertilized eggs or embryos fuse together during early development, resulting in an individual with cells derived from two separate zygotes. These cells can have different genetic makeups and can be found in various tissues or organs throughout the body.
Chimerism can be classified into two types: naturally occurring and acquired. Naturally occurring chimerism is rare and typically happens when fraternal twins or multiple embryos in the womb merge, resulting in an individual with cells from each twin. On the other hand, acquired chimerism can occur due to medical interventions like organ transplantation, blood transfusion, or bone marrow transplantation, where foreign cells are introduced into the recipient's body.
The presence of chimerism can have various implications on an individual's health and wellbeing. Some individuals with chimerism may have different blood types or different chromosomal profiles between different parts of their bodies. It can also affect the accuracy of genetic testing or cause confusion in the determination of parentage.
In conclusion, chimerism is a condition characterized by the existence of two distinct cell populations within an individual's body, which may arise naturally or be acquired through medical interventions. It can lead to different genetic compositions in different tissues or organs, potentially affecting various aspects of an individual's health and identity.
Etymology of CHIMERISM
The word "chimerism" is derived from the term "chimera", which originated from Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, a chimera was a fire-breathing creature with the body of a lion, the head of a goat on its back, and a tail ending in a snake's head. The term "chimera" eventually came to be associated with anything that combined different or incongruous elements.
In the context of biology, "chimerism" refers to a condition where an organism contains cells or tissues with different genetic compositions. This term was derived from the concept of a chimera with its mix of diverse elements, as chimerism involves the merging of cells or tissues from multiple sources within an organism.
