EPISTASIS Meaning and
Definition
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Epistasis refers to a genetic phenomenon where the expression or manifestation of one gene is affected by the presence or interaction of another gene or genes. In simpler terms, it is the interaction between different genes that determines the outcome or expression of a specific trait.
Epistasis can occur in various ways. One common form is when one gene masks or suppresses the effect of another gene. This occurs when the gene that is being suppressed is unable to produce a protein or enzyme necessary for the expression of a particular trait. As a result, the phenotype of an organism does not reflect the presence of a specific gene.
Another type of epistasis involves the interaction between two separate genes that contribute to the same trait, leading to various outcomes. In this case, the presence of one gene can either enhance or inhibit the expression of the other gene, resulting in a range of phenotypic variations.
Epistasis plays a crucial role in shaping the inheritance patterns and genetic diversity within a population. It can influence the expression of traits such as coat color, eye color, and disease susceptibility. Understanding epistasis is essential for geneticists and researchers as it helps unravel the complex nature of genetic inheritance and enables them to predict and study the patterns of trait expression.
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Scum; a pellicle forming on the surface of urine after it has stood for a time; see hypostasis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EPISTASIS
Etymology of EPISTASIS
The word "epistasis" has its roots in ancient Greek. It comes from the combination of two Greek words: "epi" (επί), meaning "upon" or "above", and "stasis" (στάσις), meaning "standing" or "stopping". Therefore, the literal translation of "epistasis" would be something like "a standing upon" or "a stopping upon". In biology and genetics, "epistasis" refers to a phenomenon where the effects of one gene are modified by another gene that is not its allele.
Similar spelling words for EPISTASIS
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