cistron

[ sis-tron ]
/ ˈsɪs trɒn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR cistron ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Genetics.

a segment of DNA that encodes for the formation of a specific polypeptide chain; a structural gene.

Origin of cistron

First recorded in 1955–60; cis- + tr(ans)- + -on1

OTHER WORDS FROM cistron

cis·tron·ic, adjective

Words nearby cistron

cistern, cistern barometer, cisterna, cisternal puncture, cisternography, cistron, cistus, cistvaen, cit, cit., citadel

British Dictionary definitions for cistron

cistron
/ (ˈsɪstrən) /

noun

genetics the section of a chromosome that encodes a single polypeptide chain

Word Origin for cistron

C20: from cis-trans; see cis-trans test

Medical definitions for cistron

cistron
[ sĭs′trŏn′ ]

n.

The smallest functional unit of heredity; a length of chromosomal DNA associated with a single biochemical function and essentially equivalent to a gene.

Other words from cistron

cis•tron′ic adj.

Scientific definitions for cistron

cistron
[ sĭs′trŏn′ ]

A section of DNA that contains the genetic code for a single polypeptide and functions as a hereditary unit.