autosomal
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to an autosome: Describes something that pertains to or is associated with an autosome, which is any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome (not an X or Y chromosome). In humans, autosomes are the 22 numbered chromosome pairs.
Usage
- The term "autosomal" is primarily used in the fields of genetics, biology, and medicine to describe genes, traits, disorders, or inheritance patterns that involve the autosomes.
- It is typically used attributively (before a noun) to modify terms like "gene," "disorder," "trait," or "inheritance."
Examples
- Adjective:
- Cystic fibrosis is caused by an autosomal recessive gene.
- The study focused on autosomal DNA to trace ancestral lineages.
- Most genetic traits are autosomal, meaning they are carried on the non-sex chromosomes.
Advanced Usage
- "Autosomal dominant": A pattern of inheritance where only one copy of a mutated gene on an autosome is necessary for an individual to be affected by a disorder or trait.
- Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant disorder.
- "Autosomal recessive": A pattern of inheritance where two copies of a mutated gene (one from each parent) on an autosome are required for an individual to be affected.
- Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal recessive condition.
Variants and Related Words
- Autosome (noun): Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome. Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes.
- The karyotype showed a normal set of autosomes.
- Autosomally (adverb): In a manner relating to autosomes. (Less common)
- The trait is inherited autosomally.
Synonyms
- Non-sex chromosomal: Pertaining to chromosomes other than the X and Y chromosomes. (This is a descriptive phrase rather than a single-word synonym.)
Notes
- The term is specific to genetics. There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with "autosomal."
- It is important to distinguish "autosomal" from "sex-linked" (pertaining to the X or Y chromosome).
Adjective
- of or relating to an autosome
- autosomal gene