phenocopy

American

[fee-nuh-kop-ee] / ˈfi nəˌkɒp i /

noun

Genetics.

PLURAL

phenocopies

the observed result of an environmentally induced, nongenetic alteration of a phenotype to a form that resembles the expression of a known genetic mutation.

phenocopy British

/ ˈfiːnəʊˌkɒpɪ /

noun

a noninheritable change in an organism that is caused by environmental influence during development but resembles the effects of a genetic mutation

"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 phenocopy

< German Phänokopie (1935); phenotype, copy

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.

During chronic Dox treatment, iWnt mice and mammary tumours phenocopy their cWnt counterparts, but iWnt tumours regress following Dox withdrawal owing to abrogation of transgene expression.

From Nature

These mice accumulate progerin, present histological and transcriptional alterations characteristic of progeroid models, and phenocopy the main clinical manifestations of human HGPS, including shortened life span and bone and cardiovascular aberrations.

From Science Magazine

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023