mosaicism

American  

[moh-zey-uh-siz-uhm] / moʊˈzeɪ əˌsɪz əm /

noun

Biology.

1. a condition in which an organism or part is composed of two or more genetically distinct tissues owing to experimental manipulation or to faulty distribution of genetic material during mitosis.

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Etymology

Origin of mosaicism

First recorded in 1925–30; mosaic + -ism

Example Sentences

This results in what is called "mosaicism," where genetically different cells occur within one individual.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2024

Clonal hematopoiesis, a variety of mosaicism that affects blood-forming cells and becomes more common with age, almost doubles the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and boosts the risk of dying from any cause by 40%.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 15, 2023

This mix of cell lines is called mosaicism.

From Scientific American • Jun. 1, 2022

A first pregnancy is questioned when test results indicate abnormal chromosomes — mosaicism — in the unborn child.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 2, 2021

Importantly, competition was seen only when there was a mixture of genetically different cells, a phenomenon known as mosaicism.

From Nature • Oct. 14, 2019