Intron
- Pronunciation
- /in-tron/
- Category
- Molecular Biology
- Singular
- Intron
- Plural
- Introns
Definition
A noncoding region within a eukaryotic DNA molecule that is transcribed but later removed during RNA splicing.
Etymology
From Latin 'inter' meaning 'between' and 'Greek 'tron' meaning 'a segment of something written'.
Example
Introns are interspersed between coding sequences in many eukaryotic genes.
Related Terms
- Exon
- RNA splicing
- Gene expression