REASSORTMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Reassortment refers to the process that takes place when genetic material, typically in the form of nucleic acids, is exchanged or rearranged between different organisms or segments within the same organism. This process commonly occurs in viruses and is crucial for their evolution and adaptation.
In the context of viruses, reassortment occurs when two distinct strains of the same virus, each carrying a unique combination of genetic material, infect the same host simultaneously. During viral replication, the genetic material of these strains is mixed, resulting in the production of new progeny viruses with a combination of genes from both parental strains. This genetic reshuffling often leads to the emergence of new viral variants that possess different characteristics or phenotypes.
Reassortment plays a significant role in the evolution and potential emergence of new viral diseases. It can facilitate the acquisition of novel genetic traits, such as altered infectivity, pathogenicity, or host range, which can increase the potential for the virus to cause epidemics or pandemics. Notable examples include reassortment events in influenza viruses, which often result in the emergence of new strains with pandemic potential.
Overall, reassortment is a genetic mechanism that allows for the exchange and recombination of genetic material between different organisms or segments within the same organism, enabling the generation of new genetic combinations that can influence the evolution and characteristics of living organisms, with particular importance in viruses.
Common Misspellings for REASSORTMENT
- eeassortment
- deassortment
- feassortment
- teassortment
- 5eassortment
- 4eassortment
- rwassortment
- rsassortment
- rdassortment
- rrassortment
- r4assortment
- r3assortment
- rezssortment
- resssortment
- rewssortment
- reqssortment
- reaasortment
- reazsortment
- reaxsortment
- readsortment
Etymology of REASSORTMENT
The word "reassortment" is derived from the combination of two words: "re-" and "assortment".
1. "Re-" is a prefix that indicates repetition, reversal, or intensity. In this case, it signifies "again" or "back" as the action is repeated.
2. "Assortment" is derived from the Old French word "assortir", which means "to match", "to assort", or "to distribute". The word "assortment" refers to the act of grouping or arranging things into categories based on common characteristics or qualities.
Therefore, "reassortment" is the process of rearranging or redistributing things into new groupings or combinations, often with the intention of creating variation or diversity. The term "reassortment" is commonly used in biology to describe the process of genetic reassortment or the exchange of genetic material among different strains or species.
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