A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q-R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y-Z

Polymorphism

Synonym(s)

Natural variations in a gene, DNA sequence, or chromosome that have no adverse effects on the individual and occur with fairly high frequency in the general population: Definition from: GeneTests from the University of Washington and the National Center for Biotechnology Information
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.: Definition from: Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms from the National Human Genome Research Institute
Difference in DNA sequence among individuals. Genetic variations occurring in more than 1% of a population would be considered useful polymorphisms for genetic linkage analysis.: Definition from: Office of Rare Diseases at the National Institutes of Health


		About Site Map Contact Us
	A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine®
Home Conditions Genes Chromosomes Handbook Glossary Resources