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NCI Dictionary of Genetics Terms

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8 results found for: D



  • de novo mutation  listen  (deh NOH-voh myoo-TAY-shun)
    An alteration in a gene that is present for the first time in one family member as a result of a mutation in a germ cell (egg or sperm) of one of the parents, or a mutation that arises in the fertilized egg itself during early embryogenesis. Also called new mutation.

  • deleterious mutation  listen  (DEH-leh-TEER-ee-us myoo-TAY-shun)
    A mutation that is documented to be associated with risk of disease.

  • deletion  listen  (deh-LEE-shun)
    Absence of a segment of DNA; may be as small as a single base or as large as a whole chromosome.

  • deoxyribonucleic acid  listen  (dee-OK-see-RY-boh-noo-KLAY-ik A-sid)
    The molecular basis of heredity; encodes the genetic information responsible for the development and function of an organism and allows for transmission of that genetic information from one generation to the next. The DNA molecule is structured as a double-stranded helix held together by weak hydrogen bonds between purine-pyrimidine nucleotide base pairs: adenine (A) paired with thymine (T), and guanine (G) paired with cytosine (C). Also called DNA.

  • dirty necrosis  listen  (DIR-tee neh-KROH-sis)
    Presence of necrotic cellular debris within the lumen of the neoplastic glands in the colorectal mucosa.

  • disease-causing mutation  listen  (dih-ZEEZ-KAW-sing myoo-TAY-shun)
    A gene alteration that causes or predisposes an individual to a specific disease.

  • DNA 
    The molecular basis of heredity; encodes the genetic information responsible for the development and function of an organism and allows for transmission of that genetic information from one generation to the next. The DNA molecule is structured as a double-stranded helix held together by weak hydrogen bonds between purine-pyrimidine nucleotide base pairs: adenine (A) paired with thymine (T), and guanine (G) paired with cytosine (C). Also called deoxyribonucleic acid.

  • domain  listen  (doh-MAYN)
    A specific physical region or amino acid sequence in a protein which is associated with a particular function or corresponding segment of DNA.