How Do You Spell ONCOGENE?

Pronunciation: [ˈɒnkə͡ʊd͡ʒˌiːn] (IPA)

Oncogene, which is pronounced ɑːŋkoʊdʒiːn, refers to a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. The word is derived from the Greek words "onco" meaning tumor and "gene" meaning born. Phonetic transcription helps to explain the spelling of a word by showing the pronunciation of each sound. In the case of oncogene, the first syllable "onco" is pronounced with a long "o" sound followed by a nasal "n" and a "k" sound. The second syllable "gene" is pronounced with a soft "g" and a long "e" sound at the end.

ONCOGENE Meaning and Definition

1. An oncogene is a specific type of gene that has the potential to cause the development of cancer. It is a mutation or variation of a normal gene, known as a proto-oncogene, that plays a crucial role in regulating cell growth and division. When an oncogene undergoes a mutation, it becomes an oncogenic gene, which promotes uncontrolled cell division, inhibits cell death, or disrupts DNA repair mechanisms.

   This gene mutation can be inherited from a parent or acquired during an individual's lifetime due to exposure to certain environmental factors or chemicals. The activation of an oncogene can lead to an increased rate of cell division and growth, causing the formation of a malignant tumor. The overexpression or altered function of an oncogene can disrupt the normal balance of cell growth, division, and apoptosis, which are essential to maintaining the healthy functioning of tissues and organs.

   Oncogenes are diverse and can affect different signaling pathways within a cell, such as those involved in cell cycle control, DNA repair, and cell-to-cell communication. Some common examples of oncogenes include HER2, BRCA, and EGFR. Understanding oncogenes and their role in cancer development has paved the way for targeted therapies aimed at inhibiting their function or activity, thereby preventing or treating cancer.

Common Misspellings for ONCOGENE

• oncogenes
• oncogeene
• onkogene
• oncogenz
• oncovine
• Roncegne
• oncorese
• incognee
• incogne
• Oncogins

Etymology of ONCOGENE

The word "oncogene" is derived from two components: "onco-" and "-gene".

The prefix "onco-" is derived from the Greek word "onkos", which means "mass" or "tumor". This is the same root word used in the medical term "oncology", which refers to the study and treatment of tumors or cancer.

The suffix "-gene" is derived from the Greek word "genos", which means "race", "kind", or "origin". In biology, the term "gene" refers to a unit of heredity that is responsible for the transfer of specific traits from one generation to another.

Therefore, when combined, the word "oncogene" essentially means a gene that is associated with the development of cancer or tumor formation.

Similar spelling words for ONCOGENE

• onychogalea,
• onsager.