INTERGENIC Meaning and
Definition
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The term "intergenic" refers to a region of the DNA sequence that lies in between two genes. When analyzing and understanding the genome, genes are sections of the DNA that contain specific instructions for protein synthesis. However, not all sections of DNA are comprised of genes. Intergenic regions, on the other hand, are those stretches of nucleotide sequences that do not contain protein-coding genes or the instructions for making proteins.
These regions play an integral role in the regulation and functioning of genes. They act as spacers, physically separating one gene from another, and provide a buffer zone to prevent interference between neighboring genes. In addition, intergenic regions often contain regulatory elements such as enhancers, silencers, and promoters that control the expression of nearby genes. These elements influence the activity and level of gene expression, modulating the specific time, location, or conditions in which a gene is activated or suppressed.
Intergenic regions can also harbor non-coding RNA molecules, which have crucial roles in the regulation of gene expression and various cellular processes. Furthermore, intergenic sequences may exhibit functional significance beyond gene regulation, as they can contain genetic variants associated with human diseases or phenotypic traits.
To study and decipher the functionality of intergenic regions, researchers employ various genomic techniques such as DNA sequencing, comparative genomics, and computational analyses. Understanding the complexities and contributions of intergenic sequences is essential for comprehending the intricate workings of the genome and its implications in biological processes, evolution, and disease.
Common Misspellings for INTERGENIC
- untergenic
- jntergenic
- kntergenic
- ontergenic
- 9ntergenic
- 8ntergenic
- ibtergenic
- imtergenic
- ijtergenic
- ihtergenic
- inrergenic
- infergenic
- ingergenic
- inyergenic
- in6ergenic
- in5ergenic
- intwrgenic
- intsrgenic
- intdrgenic
- intrrgenic
Etymology of INTERGENIC
The word "intergenic" is derived from two roots: "inter-" and "genic".
The prefix "inter-" comes from the Latin word "inter", meaning "between" or "among". It is commonly used in English to denote something that occurs or exists between or among a specific group or thing.
The root "genic" is derived from the Greek word "genos", meaning "race", "kind", or "birth". In scientific terminology, it often refers to genes or genetics.
Therefore, combining these two parts, "intergenic" means "occurring or existing between or among genes" or "relating to the regions between genes", particularly in the context of genetics or molecular biology.
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