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nondisjunction

American  
[non-dis-juhngk-shuhn] / ˌnɒn dɪsˈdʒʌŋk ʃən /

noun

Biology.
  1. the failure of chromosomes to separate and segregate into daughter cells at division.


nondisjunction British  
/ ˌnɒndɪsˈdʒʌŋkʃən /

noun

  1. the failure of paired homologous chromosomes to move to opposite poles of the cell during meiosis

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of nondisjunction

First recorded in 1910–15; non- + disjunction

Vocabulary lists containing nondisjunction

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.

They are caused by nondisjunction, which occurs when pairs of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids fail to separate during meiosis.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Misaligned or incomplete synapsis, or a dysfunction of the spindle apparatus that facilitates chromosome migration, can cause nondisjunction.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The risk of nondisjunction occurring increases with the age of the parents.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The frequency of nondisjunction events appears to increase with age, so the frequency of bearing a child with Down syndrome increases in women over 36.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The risk of nondisjunction increases with the age of the parents.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

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