GENE DELETION Meaning and
Definition
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Gene deletion refers to the removal or loss of a specific segment or segments of DNA within a gene, resulting in the elimination of the gene's function. This process can occur naturally through chromosomal rearrangements or may be induced artificially through genetic engineering techniques.
At the molecular level, gene deletion occurs when one or more nucleotide bases within a gene's DNA sequence are missing. This deletion can range from just a single base pair to large segments of the gene spanning multiple kilobases. As a result, the gene's protein product, which is essential for carrying out specific biological functions, may either be partially or completely absent.
Gene deletion can have significant consequences for an organism. Depending on the role and importance of the deleted gene, it can lead to various developmental abnormalities or genetic disorders. In some cases, gene deletion may be lethal, causing the organism to be nonviable. On the other hand, certain gene deletions may have no apparent phenotypic effects if the function of the deleted gene is redundant or compensated for by other genes.
Gene deletion plays a crucial role in understanding the function of specific genes and their contribution to biological processes. By selectively eliminating or disrupting genes, researchers can study the resulting phenotypic changes and gain insights into gene function, pathways, and potential therapeutic targets. Gene deletion techniques are also widely used in genetic engineering to develop genetically modified organisms with desired traits or to create disease models for studying human diseases.
Common Misspellings for GENE DELETION
- fene deletion
- vene deletion
- bene deletion
- hene deletion
- yene deletion
- tene deletion
- gwne deletion
- gsne deletion
- gdne deletion
- grne deletion
- g4ne deletion
- g3ne deletion
- gebe deletion
- geme deletion
- geje deletion
- gehe deletion
- genw deletion
- gens deletion
- gend deletion
- genr deletion
Etymology of GENE DELETION
The etymology of the term "gene deletion" can be understood by breaking down the two components:
1. "Gene": The word "gene" originates from the German term "Gen" coined by the Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909. Johannsen used the word to refer to the units of heredity that determine and transmit specific traits from one generation to another.
2. "Deletion": The word "deletion" comes from the Latin word "deletus", which is the past participle of the verb "delere", meaning "to destroy" or "to delete".
When combined, "gene deletion" refers to the removal or deletion of a specific gene from an organism's genome.
