SATELLITE DNA Meaning and
Definition
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Satellite DNA refers to a class of repetitive DNA sequences that comprise a significant portion of the genome in many eukaryotic organisms. It is characterized by its high degree of repetition, occurring in tandem arrays with hundreds to thousands of identical or nearly identical copies. Satellite DNA sequences are typically non-coding, meaning they do not contain instructions for producing proteins or functional RNA molecules.
These repetitive sequences are named satellite DNA because they tend to form satellite bands on a standard DNA gel electrophoresis assay due to their distinct base composition and molecular weight. The satellite DNA regions are often localized to specific regions of chromosomes, such as centromeres (centromeric satellite DNA) or telomeres (telomeric satellite DNA), although they can also be distributed throughout the genome.
Satellite DNA sequences are highly polymorphic, exhibiting substantial variation in length and sequence composition among individuals within a species or even within a population. This feature makes them useful for certain genetic research applications, such as DNA fingerprinting and population studies. Additionally, satellite DNA has been linked to various genomic functions, including chromosome structure and stability, epigenetic regulation, and heterochromatin formation.
Although the exact biological functions of satellite DNA are not fully understood, it is believed that these sequences play a role in chromosomal organization and segregation during cell division. Furthermore, satellite DNA is known to exhibit rapid evolutionary dynamics, making it an intriguing area of research for understanding genome evolution and genetic diversity.
Common Misspellings for SATELLITE DNA
- aatellite dna
- zatellite dna
- xatellite dna
- datellite dna
- eatellite dna
- watellite dna
- sztellite dna
- sstellite dna
- swtellite dna
- sqtellite dna
- sarellite dna
- safellite dna
- sagellite dna
- sayellite dna
- sa6ellite dna
- sa5ellite dna
- satwllite dna
- satsllite dna
- satdllite dna
- satrllite dna
Etymology of SATELLITE DNA
The word "Satellite DNA" originates from the Greek word "satelles", meaning "attendant" or "companion". In genetics, satellite DNA refers to a type of repetitive DNA sequences that are located near the centromere of a chromosome and move together with it during cell division. These repetitive sequences were named satellite DNA due to their tendency to migrate as a distinct band in density gradient centrifugation experiments, forming a "satellite" band away from the main bulk of genomic DNA. The name "satellite DNA" was first proposed by American scientists A. J. Dalton and B. C. Elderkin in 1966.
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