Excision repair is a term used in molecular biology to describe the cellular process of repairing damaged DNA. The spelling of this word can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ɪkˈsɪʒən rɪˈpɛər/. The first syllable "ex" is pronounced as "eks" and bears a stress mark. The second syllable "cision" has a "sizh" sound, while "repair" is pronounced with a "reh-pair" sound. The proper use of phonetic transcription in spelling such terms can help in accurate pronunciation and better communication.
Excision repair, also known as nucleotide excision repair (NER), is a complex biological process that plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the genetic material in living organisms. It is a DNA repair mechanism that involves the removal and replacement of damaged or incorrect nucleotides in the DNA sequence.
During excision repair, multiple proteins work in a coordinated manner to identify and correct various types of DNA damage, such as those caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, chemical mutagens, or errors in DNA synthesis. The process begins by recognizing the damaged DNA segment, often through distortion or structural changes in the DNA helix. This recognition triggers a cascade of events involving several repair proteins.
These repair proteins first form a complex that scans and verifies the DNA sequence around the damaged area. Once the damage is confirmed, the proteins cut the DNA strand, removing the segment that contains the damaged nucleotides. This excised fragment is then replaced by synthesizing a new DNA strand using the intact complementary strand as a template. Finally, the repaired DNA is ligated or sealed together to restore the original DNA sequence.
Excision repair is considered a highly efficient and accurate repair mechanism, ensuring the fidelity of the genetic information and reducing the risk of mutations. It operates in different types of cells, ranging from bacteria to complex multicellular organisms, and is crucial for the maintenance of genome stability and prevention of diseases such as cancer.
The word "excision" originates from the Latin word "excisus", which is the past participle of "excidere", meaning "to cut out". "Excision" refers to the act of removing or cutting out something, typically with surgical precision.
The term "repair" comes from the Latin word "reparare", which means "to restore" or "to fix". In biology and medicine, "repair" describes the process of restoring normal function or structure to damaged or injured tissues or organs.
When referring to DNA repair, "excision repair" is a process that involves the removal and replacement of damaged DNA segments. This term describes the excision of the damaged section of DNA and subsequent repair to restore the original sequence.