Z chromosome
A sex chromosome in certain animals, such as chickens, turkeys, and moths. In humans, males are XY and females XX, but in animals with a Z chromosome, males are ZZ and females are WZ.
Read Also:
- Retroposition
1. Simple backward displacement of a structure or organ such as the uterus. 2. In genetics, the integration of a sequence derived from RNA into a DNA genome. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is reverse-transcribed and reintegrated into the genome. Retroposition is an important mechanism of gene copying. It produces a large number of functional genes in […]
- Membrane
A very thin layer of tissue that covers a ‘surface.
- Meltdown, genetic
A genomic crisis due to an extraordinarily high rate of mutation, a phenomenon known to occur in viruses and perhaps in other organisms. For example, the antiviral agent Ribavirin acts by inducing genomic meltdown. The drug accelerates the already-high mutation rate of RNA viruses, creates a genomic crisis, and destroys the infectivity of the virus. […]
- Membrane attack complex
An abnormal activation of the complement (protein) portion of the blood that forms a cascade reaction and brings blood proteins together, binds them to the cell wall, and then inserts them through the cell membrane. Abbreviated MAC. MAC allows water, ions, and other small molecules to move freely into and out of a cell, and […]