intron

[ in-tron ]

noun

, Genetics.

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.

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

intron

/ ĭn′trŏn /

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.
2. Compare exon

intron

1. 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 .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of intron¹

1975–80; perhaps intr(o)- + -on ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of intron¹

C20: from intr ( agenic ) ( regi ) on