Skip to main content
orf

orf

1 9.9
A part of DNA or RNA that makes a protein when cells read it
  • noun
  • /ɔrf/
  • Specialized
translation icon : marco de lectura abierto
  • In molecular biology, an ORF is crucial for identifying coding regions of a gene.
  • open reading frame
  • ORF slope
  • ORF intercept

Examples

  • Scientists often measure the ORF to determine the potential for protein translation in the DNA sequence.

  • Few studies have examined ORF as a direct index of reading growth over time.

    Academic text (2008)
  • For two of the four cohorts, measures of ORF span 2 years.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The use of ORF in reading reform and implications for school psychologists are discussed.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The ORF score is the median number of words read correctly over three passages.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Numerous additional early studies were published establishing the validity of ORF as a measure of overall reading proficiency.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The second grade ORF subtest consists of a short grade-level story.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Importantly, these authors used ORF scores across the entire year rather than weekly WIF to monitor progress.

    Academic text (2012)
  • DIBELS-ORF is an individually administered test of accuracy and fluency in oral reading of connected text.

    Academic text (2012)
  • During baseline, the average ORF of the four participants was 17.8 CWPM with stable rates of responding.

    Academic text (2014)

Synonyms

coding DNA
vsorf
  • Specialized
5.2

Part of a gene's DNA that tells a cell how to make a protein

is a DNA/RNA sequence that begins with a start codon and is translatable

Surface Forms

orf singular
orfs plural

Morphology

orf = open + reading + frame (opaque) = O + R + F

The form is an acronym (letters O‑R‑F) from the phrase 'open reading frame', so the short form does not transparently reveal the meaning to a learner.

Etymology

Orf in genetics comes from the phrase open reading frame, where open means 'not closed', reading means 'reading the code', and frame is the 'line' in which the code is read. So an orf is a stretch of DNA or RNA that can be read to make a protein.