cytoplasmic inheritance

cy·to·plas·mic in·her·i·tance

transmission of characters dependent on self-perpetuating elements not nuclear in origin (for example, mitochondrial DNA).

Synonym(s): extranuclear inheritance

cytoplasmic inheritance

[sī′tōplaz′mik]

the acquisition of traits or conditions controlled by self-replicating substances within the cytoplasm, such as mitochondria or chloroplasts, rather than by genes on the chromosomes in the nucleus. The phenomenon occurs in plants and some animals but has not been demonstrated in humans.

cy·to·plas·mic in·her·i·tance

(sī'tō-plaz'mik in-her'i-tăns)

Transmission of characters dependent on self-perpetuating elements not nuclear in origin (e.g., mitochondrial DNA).

cytoplasmic inheritance

The genetic effects of DNA situated in MITOCHONDRIA.

cytoplasmic inheritance

or

extranuclear inheritance

the control of certain characters by genetic factors located in the cytoplasm of EUKARYOTES. These cytoplasmic mechanisms can show themselves as general ‘maternal’ influences (since the female gamete contains more cytoplasm than the male) as in the control of shell coiling in the snail Limnaea. DNA has also been located in several cytoplasmic organelles, such as a MITOCHONDRION or a CHLOROPLAST, which can replicate and function independently of the nucleus.

cytoplasmic

pertaining to or included in cytoplasm.

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cytoplasmic inclusions

include secretory inclusions (enzymes, acids, proteins, mucosubstances), nutritive inclusions (glycogen, lipids), pigment granules (melanin, lipofuscin, hemosiderin). See also inclusion body.

cytoplasmic inheritance

the cytoplasmic organelles, chloroplasts and mitochondria contain DNA which contains a number of genes. These extrachromosomal genes are transmitted to daughter cells via cytoplasm. Called also maternal inheritance.

cytoplasmic nuclear inclusion

see inclusion body.

cytoplasmic skeleton

includes microtubules, centrioles, cilia, flagellae.