Synonym(s)
Definition(s)
- Absence
of a segment of DNA; may be as small as a single base or large enough to
encompass one or more entire genes. Large deletions involving a whole segment
of a chromosome may be detected by routine examination of the chromosomes;
intermediate deletions involving a few genes may be detected by using fluorescent
in situ hybridization (FISH); smaller deletions involving a portion of a
gene may only be detected by analyzing the DNA.
-
Definition from: GeneReviews
from the University of Washington and the National Center for Biotechnology Information
- A loss of part of the DNA from a chromosome; can lead to a disease or abnormality.
-
Definition from: Human Genome Project Information
at the U.S. Department of Energy
- Deletion is a type of mutation involving the loss of genetic material. It can be small, involving a single missing DNA base pair, or large, involving a piece of a chromosome.
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Definition from: Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms from the National Human Genome Research Institute
Related discussion in the Handbook
See also Understanding Medical Terminology.
