EPISTATIC Meaning and
Definition
-
Epistatic is an adjective used in the field of genetics to describe the phenomenon where one gene has the ability to mask or modify the expression of another gene. It refers to the interaction between different genes in determining a particular trait or phenotype.
In genetics, an individual's genetic makeup is determined by their genotype, which is the combination of genes they possess. Genes are responsible for coding proteins that ultimately determine an individual's characteristics. Epistasis occurs when the expression of one gene is influenced by the presence of another gene, resulting in an alteration in the phenotype.
Epistatic genes can have one of two effects: they can either suppress the expression of another gene, known as dominant epistasis, or enhance the expression of another gene, known as recessive epistasis. In both cases, the presence or absence of a particular gene can override or modify the expression of another gene.
Epistatic interactions are essential for the understanding of inheritance patterns and the development of certain traits. They play a crucial role in the study of genetics and are utilized to comprehend the complexity of genetic variations observed in organisms.
Overall, epistatic refers to the interdependence and interplay between genes, highlighting the intricate relationship between different genetic factors in shaping an individual's characteristics.
-
In Mendelian heredity, noting one character which is superposed upon another, preventing or hiding its appearance, although the two are not allelomorphs.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EPISTATIC
- wpistatic
- spistatic
- dpistatic
- rpistatic
- 4pistatic
- 3pistatic
- eoistatic
- elistatic
- e-istatic
- e0istatic
- epustatic
- epjstatic
- epkstatic
- ep9static
- ep8static
- epiatatic
- epiztatic
- epixtatic
- epidtatic
- epietatic
Etymology of EPISTATIC
The word "epistatic" comes from the combination of two Greek roots: "epi" meaning "upon" or "over" and "statikos" meaning "standing still". It is derived from the Greek word "epistasia", which means "interference" or "suppression". In genetics, "epistasis" refers to the interaction between two or more genes where the expression of one gene is influenced or suppressed by another gene. The term "epistatic" is used to describe the gene that produces the effect or suppression in this interaction.
Similar spelling word for EPISTATIC
