intron

[ in-tron ]

nounGenetics.
  1. a noncoding segment in a length of DNA that interrupts a gene-coding sequence or nontranslated sequence, the corresponding segment being removed from the RNA copy before transcription.

Origin of intron

1
1975–80; perhaps intr(o)- + -on1
  • Also called intervening sequence.

Words Nearby intron

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British Dictionary definitions for intron

intron

/ (ˈɪntrɒn) /


noun
  1. biochem a stretch of DNA that interrupts a gene and does not contribute to the specification of a protein: Compare exon 2

Origin of intron

1
C20: from intr (agenic) (regi) on

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

Scientific definitions for intron

intron

[ ĭntrŏn ]


  1. A segment of a gene situated between exons that does not function in coding for protein synthesis. After transcription of a gene to messenger RNA, the transcriptions of introns are removed, and the exons are spliced together by enzymes before translation and assembly of amino acids into proteins. Compare exon.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for intron

intron

A stretch of DNA in a gene that does not code for proteins. In eukaryotes, introns in a given gene separate stretches of DNA that contain instructions for constructing proteins. (Compare exon.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.