intron

[ in-tron ]
/ ˈɪn trɒn /

noun Genetics.

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.
Also called intervening sequence.
Compare exon2.

Origin of intron

1975–80; perhaps intr(o)- + -on1

Words nearby intron

introject, introjection, intromission, intromit, intromittent, intron, intropin, introrse, introspect, introspection, introspective

British Dictionary definitions for intron

intron
/ (ˈɪntrɒn) /

noun

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

Word Origin for intron

C20: from intr ( agenic) ( regi) on

Medical definitions for intron

intron
[ ĭn′trŏn ]

n.

A segment of a gene situated between exons that does not function in coding for protein synthesis.

Scientific definitions for intron

intron
[ ĭn′trŏn ]

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.

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.)