DUPLICATE GENE Meaning and
Definition
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A duplicate gene, also known as a gene duplicate or gene copy, refers to a gene that has been duplicated within a genome, resulting in multiple copies of the same gene present in an organism. This process can occur through gene duplication events, which may arise due to various mechanisms such as DNA replication errors, unequal crossing over during genetic recombination, or retrotransposition.
Duplicate genes are considered to be a form of genetic redundancy, as they share a high degree of sequence similarity or identity with each other. While the original gene maintains its original function, the duplicated gene copies may diverge over time, acquiring mutations that lead to altered functions or novel functionalities. The fate of duplicated genes can vary; they may be retained as functional genes, become pseudogenes with disrupted function, or be lost from the genome altogether through gene deletion.
Duplicate genes play crucial roles in driving evolutionary innovation and adaptation. They provide a genetic reservoir for introducing variation into a population, enabling the exploration and diversification of new functions. Duplicate genes can contribute to the evolution of complex traits, such as morphological or physiological novelties, by undergoing neofunctionalization, subfunctionalization, or dosage balance mechanisms. Neofunctionalization refers to the acquisition of a completely new function by one of the gene copies, while subfunctionalization involves the partitioning of the original gene's function among the duplicates. Dosage balance mechanisms ensure the proper regulation and maintenance of gene expression levels within an organism.
In summary, duplicate genes are the result of gene duplication events that provide organisms with additional copies of genes, promoting genetic redundancy, genomic diversity, and facilitating evolutionary change.
Common Misspellings for DUPLICATE GENE
- suplicate gene
- xuplicate gene
- cuplicate gene
- fuplicate gene
- ruplicate gene
- euplicate gene
- dyplicate gene
- dhplicate gene
- djplicate gene
- diplicate gene
- d8plicate gene
- d7plicate gene
- duolicate gene
- dullicate gene
- du-licate gene
- du0licate gene
- dupkicate gene
- duppicate gene
- dupoicate gene
- duplucate gene
Etymology of DUPLICATE GENE
The term "duplicate gene" is composed of two parts - "duplicate" and "gene".
The word "duplicate" comes from the Latin word "duplicatus", which is the past participle of "duplicare", meaning "to make double". The Latin word is derived from "duplex", meaning "double" or "twofold".
The term "gene" originates from the Greek word "genos", meaning "race" or "kind". It was originally used by Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909 to describe the fundamental unit of heredity, which carries genetic information and is responsible for the transmission of traits from parents to offspring.
Therefore, the etymology of "duplicate gene" suggests that it refers to a gene that has been duplicated, resulting in multiple copies of the same gene within an organism's genome.
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