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extrachromosomal

American  
[ek-struh-kroh-muh-soh-muhl] / ˌɛk strəˌkroʊ məˈsoʊ məl /

adjective

Genetics.
  1. of or relating to DNA that exists outside the main chromosome and acts independently.


Etymology

Origin of extrachromosomal

First recorded in 1935–40; extra- + chromosomal ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These chains—the longest extrachromosomal genetic material ever found—most likely enter single-celled archaea and help them break down methane.

From Scientific American • Oct. 2, 2021

“I don’t think anything else that’s been discovered is as big as these guys are,” among previously known extrachromosomal DNA elements, Doolittle says.

From Science Magazine • Jul. 15, 2021

The DNA transferred can be in the form of a plasmid, a small circular piece of extrachromosomal DNA, or as a hybrid, containing both plasmid and chromosomal DNA.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The resulting construct, pSEZ3, was microinjected into MQD753, and strain MQD859 expressing mitochondrion-targeted KillerRed from an extrachromosomal transgene array was obtained.

From Nature • Apr. 4, 2014

Two independent extrachromosomal arrays were obtained, one of which, hqEx350, was chromosomally integrated through gamma-irradiation.

From Nature • Apr. 4, 2014