Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

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Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. defines Polymorphism

Polymorphism

pol ee MAWR fiz uhm

Polymorphism involves one of two or more variants of a particular DNA sequence. The most common type of polymorphism involves variation at a single base pair. Polymorphisms can also be much larger in size and involve long stretches of DNA. Called a single nucleotide polymorphism, or SNP (pronounced snip), scientists are studying how SNPs in the human genome correlate with disease, drug response, and other phenotypes.

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