CYTOPLASMIC GENE Meaning and
Definition
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Cytoplasmic genes are a type of genetic material found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, outside of the cell nucleus where the majority of the organism's genes are located. They are usually inherited maternally, meaning they are passed down from the mother to her offspring rather than through both maternal and paternal contributions.
Cytoplasmic genes are unique in that they are present in extranuclear organelles within the cell, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts. Mitochondria are responsible for energy production in the cell, while chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis in plants. These organelles have their own small, distinct genomes known as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA), respectively.
The most well-known cytoplasmic gene is mitochondrial DNA, which encodes a number of proteins necessary for the functioning of the mitochondria. Mutations in mitochondrial genes can result in various genetic disorders, often affecting energy production and causing symptoms such as muscle weakness or neurological problems.
Unlike nuclear DNA, which is subject to both recombination and mutation, cytoplasmic genes primarily undergo mutation. This means that cytoplasmic genes can accumulate genetic changes over time, potentially leading to the evolution and divergence of organelles from the rest of the cell.
In summary, cytoplasmic genes refer to the genetic material present in the extranuclear organelles of eukaryotic cells, mostly inherited maternally. These genes are crucial for the functioning of mitochondria and chloroplasts and play a role in various genetic disorders and evolutionary processes.
Common Misspellings for CYTOPLASMIC GENE
- xytoplasmic gene
- vytoplasmic gene
- fytoplasmic gene
- dytoplasmic gene
- cttoplasmic gene
- cgtoplasmic gene
- chtoplasmic gene
- cutoplasmic gene
- c7toplasmic gene
- c6toplasmic gene
- cyroplasmic gene
- cyfoplasmic gene
- cygoplasmic gene
- cyyoplasmic gene
- cy6oplasmic gene
- cy5oplasmic gene
- cytiplasmic gene
- cytkplasmic gene
- cytlplasmic gene
- cytpplasmic gene
Etymology of CYTOPLASMIC GENE
The word "cytoplasmic gene" is derived from two components: "cytoplasmic" and "gene".
1. "Cytoplasmic" relates to "cytoplasm", which is a gel-like substance present within the cell membrane of all living cells. It is where various cellular activities occur, such as metabolism, protein synthesis, and transport. The term is derived from the Greek words "kýtos" (meaning "cell") and "plasma" (meaning "formed or molded").
2. "Gene" refers to a unit of hereditary information present in the DNA of an organism. It contains the instructions for the development, functioning, and characteristics of a living organism. The word "gene" is derived from the German word "gen" and was coined by Danish botanist and geneticist Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909.
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