retrotransposon

noun

ret·​ro·​trans·​po·​son -ˌtran(t)s-ˈpō-ˌzän How to pronounce retrotransposon (audio)
: a transposable element that undergoes transposition from one place to another in the genome of a cell by forming an intermediate RNA transcript from which a copy of the DNA of the transposable element is made using a reverse transcriptase and inserted into the genome at a new location

called also retroposon

Dictionary Entries Near retrotransposon

Cite this Entry

“Retrotransposon.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/retrotransposon. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!