EPISTASY Meaning and
Definition
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Epistasy is a term originating from the field of genetics and refers to a phenomenon where the effect of one gene or mutation is modified by other genes or mutations in a genetic pathway or system. It is the opposite of epistasis, which describes how one gene masks or overrides the effect of another. In epistasy, the presence or absence of specific genetic elements can either enhance or suppress the expression of a particular gene or mutation.
Epistasy usually occurs when mutations in multiple genes interact in complex ways, resulting in an altered phenotype or trait compared to what would be expected based solely on the individual gene effects. This phenomenon is of great interest in fields such as medical genetics, evolutionary biology, and plant breeding, as it underlies the intricate interplay between genes and their environment.
Understanding epistasy is crucial for unraveling the complex genetic networks that drive biological processes and traits. By studying how genes interact with each other, researchers can gain insight into the underlying mechanisms involved in various diseases, as well as how organisms adapt and evolve. Epistasy has profound implications for breeding strategies, as it can influence the success of selecting desired traits when multiple genes are involved.
In summary, epistasy refers to the phenomenon where the effect of one gene or mutation is modified by other genes or mutations within a genetic system, and understanding it is vital for deciphering the underlying complexities of genetics in various scientific disciplines.
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In Mendelian heredity the hiding of one character by another superposed upon it, the two not being allelomorphs.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EPISTASY
- epostasy
- epistasi
- wpistasy
- spistasy
- dpistasy
- rpistasy
- 4pistasy
- 3pistasy
- eoistasy
- elistasy
- e-istasy
- e0istasy
- epustasy
- epjstasy
- epkstasy
- ep9stasy
- ep8stasy
- epiatasy
- epiztasy
- epixtasy
Etymology of EPISTASY
The word "epistasy" is derived from the Greek word "epístasis", which means "to halt" or "standstill". It is formed by combining the prefix "epi-", meaning "on" or "upon", and the verb "histēmi", meaning "to stand". Over time, "epístasis" evolved into "epistasy" in English, and it has come to be used in various contexts to refer to a state of delay, interruption, or cessation.
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