Top: Science: Biology: Genetics: Terminology: D




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deletion

A particular kind of mutation: loss of a piece of DNA from a chromosome. Deletion of a gene or part of a gene can lead to a disease or abnormality.


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deoxyribonucleic acid

(DNA) The chemical inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms.


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diabetes mellitus

Two types of a highly variable disorder in which abnormalities in the ability to make and/or use the hormone insulin interfere with the process of turning dietary carbohydrates into glucose, the body's fuel. Type I is known as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, and type II is known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.


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diploid

The number of chromosomes in most cells except the gametes. In humans, the diploid number is 46.


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DNA replication

The process by which the DNA double helix unwinds and makes an exact copy of itself.


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DNA sequencing

Determining the exact order of the base pairs in a segment of DNA.


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dominant

A gene that almost always results in a specific physical characteristic, for example, a disease, even though the patient's genome possesses only one copy. With a dominant gene, the chance of passing on the gene (and therefore the disease) to children is 50-50 in each pregnancy.


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double helix

The structural arrangement of DNA, which looks something like an immensely long ladder twisted into a helix, or coil. The sides of the "ladder" are formed by a backbone of sugar and phosphate molecules, and the "rungs" consist of nucleotide bases joined weakly in the middle by hydrogen bonds.


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duplication

A particular kind of mutation: production of one or more copies of any piece of DNA, including a gene or even an entire chromosome.



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