GENE REDUNDANCY Meaning and
Definition
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Gene redundancy refers to the phenomenon in genetics where multiple genes within an organism's genome possess similar or overlapping functions. These redundant genes are often involved in the same biological pathway or process and may encode proteins with similar or identical functions. In other words, they serve as backup or fail-safe components in the genetic makeup of an organism.
The presence of gene redundancy provides an evolutionary advantage by ensuring functional robustness and maintaining important biological processes even under changing environmental conditions or genetic mutations. If one gene becomes non-functional or undergoes a mutation, the redundant gene(s) can compensate for the loss of function and maintain the overall integrity and efficiency of the organism.
Gene redundancy can be classified into two main types: complete and partial redundancy. Complete redundancy occurs when two or more genes have identical functions and can fully compensate for the loss of any single gene. Partial redundancy, on the other hand, refers to genes that share some, but not all, of the functions of other genes. These partially redundant genes may compensate for the loss of specific functions, but not completely.
Understanding gene redundancy is important in genetics and evolutionary biology as it sheds light on the complexity of genetic networks and the robustness of biological systems. It also has implications in fields such as medicine and biotechnology, where manipulating or targeting redundant genes may be used to treat genetic diseases or enhance desired traits in organisms.
Common Misspellings for GENE REDUNDANCY
- fene redundancy
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- yene redundancy
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- gwne redundancy
- gsne redundancy
- gdne redundancy
- grne redundancy
- g4ne redundancy
- g3ne redundancy
- gebe redundancy
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- geje redundancy
- gehe redundancy
- genw redundancy
- gens redundancy
- gend redundancy
- genr redundancy
Etymology of GENE REDUNDANCY
The term "gene redundancy" is derived from two separate words: "gene" and "redundancy".
1. Gene: The term "gene" originated from the German word "gen" coined by Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909. It is derived from the Greek word "genos", meaning "offspring" or "race". Johannsen introduced this term to describe the hereditary units transmitted from parents to offspring.
2. Redundancy: The word "redundancy" has its roots in the Latin word "redundantia", which means "overflowing". It is formed from the prefix "re-" (meaning "again" or "back") and the Latin word "undare", meaning "to rise in waves" or "to overflow".
