PLEIOTROPIC MUTATION Meaning and
Definition
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Pleiotropic mutation is a term used in genetics and evolutionary biology to describe a type of genetic variation that affects multiple phenotypic traits or characteristics in an organism. It refers to a single genetic mutation or alteration that has a broad range of effects on various aspects of the organism's physiology, morphology, or behavior.
Typically, genes are responsible for controlling the expression of specific traits or functions, and mutations in these genes often have relatively isolated effects on a single trait. However, in the case of pleiotropic mutations, a single genetic change can lead to diverse and often unrelated phenotypic outcomes.
For example, a pleiotropic mutation in a developmental gene may result in an organism exhibiting changes in its body structure, metabolism, and behavior simultaneously. These mutations can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on an organism's overall fitness and survival, as the alterations can impact various aspects of its interactions with the environment or other organisms.
Pleiotropic mutations are particularly intriguing in the context of evolutionary biology, as they can have profound effects on the course of natural selection and evolutionary processes. They can influence the adaptation and evolution of populations by promoting the fixation and spread of certain traits while potentially hindering others.
Understanding the mechanisms and consequences of pleiotropic mutations provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between genotype and phenotype. It helps shed light on the intricate pathways through which genetic changes shape the diversity and complexity observed in the natural world.
Common Misspellings for PLEIOTROPIC MUTATION
- oleiotropic mutation
- lleiotropic mutation
- 0leiotropic mutation
- pkeiotropic mutation
- ppeiotropic mutation
- poeiotropic mutation
- plwiotropic mutation
- plsiotropic mutation
- pldiotropic mutation
- plriotropic mutation
- pl4iotropic mutation
- pl3iotropic mutation
- pleuotropic mutation
- plejotropic mutation
- plekotropic mutation
- pleootropic mutation
- ple9otropic mutation
- ple8otropic mutation
- pleiitropic mutation
- pleiktropic mutation
Etymology of PLEIOTROPIC MUTATION
The etymology of the word "pleiotropic mutation" can be broken down as follows:
1. Pleiotropic: This term originates from the combination of two Greek words: "pleio" meaning "many" and "tropos" meaning "turn" or "way". In genetics, the term "pleiotropy" refers to the phenomenon where a single gene mutation has multiple effects on an organism's phenotype or traits.
2. Mutation: This term has its roots in the Latin word "mutare" meaning "to change". In genetics, a mutation is a change in the DNA sequence or structure of a gene, leading to variations in the phenotypic expression of traits.
Therefore, the word "pleiotropic mutation" refers to a genetic alteration that causes a single gene to have multiple effects on an organism's various characteristics or traits.
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