Genetic Function
genetic polymorphism
[ juh-net-ik pol-ee-mawr-fiz-uhm ]
Subclass of:
Variation (Genetics)
Definitions related to genetic polymorphism:
  • (polymorphism) A common change in the genetic code in DNA. Polymorphisms can have a harmful effect, a good effect, or no effect. Some polymorphisms have been shown to increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Simultaneous occurrence in the population of genomes showing allelic variations such as different phenotypes or restriction maps.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • The regular and simultaneous occurrence of alternative nucleotide sequences at equivalent locations of the genetic material among individuals of a single interbreeding population that are not maintained by recurrent mutation. Polymorphisms may range in size from single nucleotide to large nucleotide sequence variation visible at the chromosomal level.
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • (polymorphism, genetic) The regular and simultaneous occurrence in a single interbreeding population of two or more discontinuous genotypes. The concept includes differences in genotypes ranging in size from a single nucleotide site (POLYMORPHISM, SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE) to large nucleotide sequences visible at a chromosomal level.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
Try this search on: Farlex, Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary, or Wordnik

This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.