Genetic polymorphism

[shreypete]

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What exactly does a genetics polymorphism mean?

What does protein polymorphism mean?

I found the definition in many books but I'm really confused as to what it exactly means.

 

[VneZonyDostupa]

What exactly does a genetics polymorphism mean?

What does protein polymorphism mean?

I found the definition in many books but I'm really confused as to what it exactly means.

A polymorphism is just a statistically relevant variation in the genome, rather than a random mutation.

 

[TPBC]

Polymorphism (means "many forms") refers to different alleles or expressed proteins in different individuals such as the ABO system. Everyone is either an A, B, O, or AB so the ABO system is considered polymorphic.

In regard to protein polymorphism, two that come to mind are Hemoglobin and Haptoglobin. Hb is either Hb A, Hb A1, Hb F, and I think a few more (I can't remember off hand). Haptoglobin is either 1, 2-1, 2 or 2-1 modified. I did work in a forensic lab and "polymorphism" in either enzymes or serum proteins to differentiate blood from varous individuals.

Hope that helps...
B

 

[cpants]

Polymorphism is basically a synonym for allele. ABO types is a perfect example. These types are passed down through Mendellian genetics. The Hb example isn't really polymorphism though. HbA, HbA2, HbF, etc., are just different Hb variations which are found in all humans. All of these Hb's are found in every individual, while only 2 blood type polymorphisms will be found. If you wanted to use HbS and HbC as examples of abnormal polymorphisms in the population, that would make more sense.

The word can also be used to describe the level of variation of a certain trait in the population. "There is wide polymorphism in the fur color gene of the field mouse."

 

[UTMBMD2012]

What exactly does a genetics polymorphism mean?

What does protein polymorphism mean?

I found the definition in many books but I'm really confused as to what it exactly means.

We learned in lecture. A polymorphism means there are more than 2 common alternatives (>1% each). For instance A, B, AB, and O blood types.

 

[shreypete]

Thanks a lot. I get it.