genetic

[jĕ-net´ik]

1. pertaining to reproduction or to birth or origin.

2. inherited.

genetic code the arrangement of nucleotides in the polynucleotide chain of a chromosome; it governs the transmission of genetic information to proteins, i.e., determines the sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain making up each protein synthesized by the cell. Genetic information is coded in DNA by means of four bases: two purines (adenine and guanine) and two pyrimidines (thymine and cystosine). Each adjacent sequence of three bases (a codon) determines the insertion of a specific amino acid. In RNA, uracil replaces thymine.

genetic map

1. the location of mutations along the length of a chromosome, as determined by recombination experiments. The unit of length is the centimorgan (cM), one crossover per meiosis.

2. the sequence of base pairs along the DNA of a chromosome, a technique being applied to humans.

A gene map of Chromosome 18. From Copstead, 1996.

genetic marker a gene having alleles that are all expressed in the phenotype, that is, they are codominant, and which can be used to study inheritance. The various blood group systems and serum or red blood cell proteins easily detected by electrophoresis or immunodiffusion are commonly used markers.

ge·net·ic de·ter·mi·nant

any antigenic determinant or identifying characteristic, particularly those of allotypes.

Synonym(s): genetic marker

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

genetic marker

A gene, DNA sequence, or gene product whose inheritance can be traced through a pedigree or phylogeny. Genetic markers are used in paternity testing, studies of evolution, and evaluating genetic contributions to phenotypes including disease. Genetic markers associated with certain diseases can often be detected in the blood serum, where their presence is used to determine whether a person is at high risk for developing a disease.

ge·net·ic de·ter·mi·nant

(jĕ-net'ik dĕ-tĕr'mi-nănt)

Any antigenic determinant or identifying characteristic, particularly those of allotypes.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

genetic marker

A gene or DNA sequence that indicates the presence of a disease or a probable risk of developing it.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

genetic marker

a phenotypic character that can be assigned to a GENE to mark its position on the GENOME.
a characteristic feature of the GENOTYPE, such as a NUCLEOTIDE signature, gene or HETEROCHROMATIC region, that can be used to track a particular individual, TISSUE, CELL, NUCLEUS, CHROMOSOME, PLASMID or gene. Genetic markers are used, for example, to detect the presence of cloning VECTORS in GENETIC ENGINEERING and to monitor ORGANISMS released into the environment. See RESTRICTION FRAGMENT LENGTH POLYMORPHISM.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

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References in periodicals archive

Registration of multiple-cotyledon red clover genetic marker stock: L38-1485.

Registration of short internode red clover genetic stock

Millions of children who have survived inherited conditions, such as asthma and leukemia, may have genetic markers of past disease.

GENETIC TESTING: Balancing Benefits and Abuses

In addition, studies are being launched to look at how a combination of genetic markers and clinical risk information might enhance the performance of prostate-specific antigen testing.

Prostate cancer screening

In contrast to genetic linkage studies that used 300-400 genetic markers, this GWAS used nearly 98,000 genetic markers called single-nu-cleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), yielding more than 20 million bits of data.

Genetics in your practice 2008: year of the GWAS

The traditional approach featured geneticists performing linkage analysis studies that examined the relationships between inheritance and genetic markers in families affected by the disease.

A Revolution in Genetics: Changing Medicine, Changing Lives

Low frequencies of double-unifoliolate leaves and multiple-crown genotypes occur in this genetic marker stock.

Registration of Multiple-Cotyledon Red Clover Genetic Marker Stock: L38-1485

"Anyone who thinks they are so perfect that they should have a clone of themselves has--how should I say this?--something of a personality quirk," says Dean Hamer, who, as chief of the National Cancer Institute's gene structure and regulation section in 1993, identified a genetic marker for homosexuality.

Send in the clones

This difference suggested that the presence of the [Glu.sup.69] genetic marker increases the risk of CBD significantly for workers who are exposed to beryllium.

TOXIC BERYLLIUM: New Solutions for a Chronic Problem

Linkage studies of over 500 individuals from 60 families mapped the gene for XLA to the midportion (Xq22) of the X chromosome, cosegregating with the polymorphic genetic marker DXS 178 (87.88).

Comparative Genomics and Host Resistance against Infectious Diseases

The researchers also looked at single DNA variations in the patients and identified a genetic marker linked to elevated tau levels.

Genetic marker of aggressive Alzheimer's disease identified

Washington, July 21 (ANI): Scientists from the Yale University have discovered a new genetic marker that can help in predicting the risk of developing the fatal and hard to detect ovarian cancer.

New genetic marker of ovarian cancer risk discovered