gene amplification
Save This Word!
noun Genetics.
an increase in the frequency of replication of a DNA segment.
such an increase induced by a polymerase chain reaction.
QUIZZES
DO A DOUBLE TAKE ON THIS QUIZ ON CONTRONYMS
Look both ways before you take this quiz on contronyms, or words that can have opposite meanings.
Question 1 of 7
Choose the sentence that uses "rent" correctly.
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
Also called genetic amplification, DNA amplification .
Origin of gene amplification
First recorded in 1970–75
Words nearby gene amplification
gender-specific, gene, geneal., genealogical tree, genealogy, gene amplification, genearch, gene augmentation therapy, gene bank, gene clone, genecology
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for gene amplification
Medical definitions for gene amplification
gene amplification
n.
A cellular process characterized by the production of copies of a gene or genes to amplify the phenotype that the gene confers on the cell.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for gene amplification
gene amplification
An increase in the number of copies of a gene in a cell, resulting in an elevation in the level of the RNA or protein encoded for by the gene and a corresponding amplification of the phenotype that the gene confers on the cell. Drug resistance in cancer cells is linked to amplification of the gene that prevents absorption of the chemotherapeutic agent by the cell.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for gene amplification
gene amplification
A process in a cell by which a particular gene is replicated so that more copies are available to produce a protein for the cell's use. For example, the genes that code for proteins involved in ribosomes are amplified early in the process of cell development so that there are sufficient numbers of them to assemble the cell.
notes for gene amplification
PCR, polymerase chain reaction, can be considered a type of man-made gene amplification process.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.