GENOMIC IMPRINTING Meaning and
Definition
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Genomic imprinting is a phenomenon in genetics that results in the differential expression of genetic material depending on whether it is inherited from the mother or the father. It refers to the process by which certain genes are marked or "imprinted" during gametogenesis, specifically in the formation of egg and sperm cells. These imprints are then retained in the resulting embryos and can affect the expression of specific genes depending on their parental origin.
The imprints are established through a process called DNA methylation, which involves the addition of chemical tags to the DNA strand at particular regions. This modification does not alter the genetic sequence itself, but it epigenetically impacts the gene's activity. Genomic imprinting typically results in the silencing or inactivation of one allele, meaning that only the other copy of the gene is active.
The consequences of genomic imprinting can have significant effects on development and health, as the active genes may be critical for embryonic growth, placental function, or neurological processes. Any disruption or abnormalities in the imprinting pattern can lead to various genetic disorders and diseases, such as Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome.
In summary, genomic imprinting is a unique and intricate genetic phenomenon that influences the expression of certain genes depending on their parental origin. It involves the marking of genes during gamete formation, leading to the selective activation or inactivation of specific alleles, which can have important implications for development and overall health.
Common Misspellings for GENOMIC IMPRINTING
- fenomic imprinting
- venomic imprinting
- benomic imprinting
- henomic imprinting
- yenomic imprinting
- tenomic imprinting
- gwnomic imprinting
- gsnomic imprinting
- gdnomic imprinting
- grnomic imprinting
- g4nomic imprinting
- g3nomic imprinting
- gebomic imprinting
- gemomic imprinting
- gejomic imprinting
- gehomic imprinting
- genimic imprinting
- genkmic imprinting
- genlmic imprinting
- genpmic imprinting
Etymology of GENOMIC IMPRINTING
The word "genomic imprinting" is derived from two main components: "genomic" and "imprinting".
1. Genomic: The term "genomic" refers to the genome, which is the complete set of genetic material, including all the genes and non-coding sequences present in an organism. It is derived from the word "genome", which originated from the combination of the Greek words "genos" meaning "birth" or "origin" and "ome" meaning "a whole" or "all". The term "genome" was first coined in 1920 by the German biologist Hans Winkler.
2. Imprinting: The term "imprinting" in the context of genetics refers to the epigenetic process where certain genes are silenced or activated based on their parental origin. It comes from the verb "imprint", which means to make an impression or mark on a surface.
