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Glite Dictionary
pleiotropism

pleiotropism

9.9
One gene causes two or more different traits in a living thing
  • noun
  • /ˌpliːəˈtrɒpɪzəm/
  • Specialized
: pleiotropismo
  • Researchers discovered that pleiotropism explains why one gene can influence multiple, seemingly unrelated traits.

Examples

  • Understanding pleiotropism is important for studying genetic disorders that affect multiple body systems.

  • The concept of pleiotropism helps scientists link different traits to a single gene.

  • Researchers discovered that pleiotropism explains why one mutation can cause several symptoms.

  • What is pleiotropism?

  • The term pleiotropism describes genetic influences.

  • Understanding pleiotropism is crucial for analyzing genetic disorders that impact several bodily functions.

  • The concept of pleiotropism illustrates how a single gene can lead to various traits in an organism.

Synonyms

pleiotropy
vspleiotropism
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A single gene that affects two or more different traits in a living thing

is the same idea but framed without mentioning the organism

Surface Forms

pleiotropism singular
pleiotropisms plural

Morphology

pleiotropism = tropism (semi-transparent) = pleio + tropism

The term is compositionally built from the combining form 'pleio-' ('many') plus the biological noun 'tropism', but 'pleio-' is a specialized combining form not familiar to general learners.

Etymology

Pleiotropism comes from Greek parts pleio- meaning 'more' and -tropism meaning 'turning' or 'a response', as in phototropism where a plant turns to light. So pleiotropism is a simple way to remember that one gene can cause 'more' than one effect or trait.