Epistasis meaning

Epistasis refers to the phenomenon in genetics where the interaction between different genes affects the expression of a specific trait.


Epistasis definitions

Word backwards sisatsipe
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division e-pi-sta-sis
Plural The plural of the word epistasis is epistases.
Total letters 9
Vogais (3) e,i,a
Consonants (3) p,s,t

Epistasis is a phenomenon in genetics where the effect of one gene is influenced by another gene, often modifying the expected outcome of genetic traits. This interaction between genes can lead to a more complex expression of traits than simple Mendelian genetics would predict.

Understanding Epistasis

In epistasis, the gene that masks the expression of another gene is known as the epistatic gene, while the gene whose expression is masked is called the hypostatic gene. The epistatic gene affects the phenotypic ratio seen in offspring, as it alters or suppresses the expression of the hypostatic gene.

Types of Epistasis

There are different types of epistasis, including recessive epistasis, dominant epistasis, and duplicate recessive epistasis. In recessive epistasis, the presence of a homozygous recessive allele at one gene masks the expression of alleles at another gene. Dominant epistasis occurs when the presence of a dominant allele at one gene suppresses the expression of alleles at another gene. Duplicate recessive epistasis requires both genes to have homozygous recessive alleles to mask the expression of a trait.

Significance of Epistasis

Epistasis plays a critical role in shaping the genetic traits and variations seen in organisms. It adds complexity to genetic inheritance patterns and can influence the evolution of populations. Understanding epistasis is essential in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and evolutionary biology.

Overall, epistasis provides a deeper understanding of genetic interactions and how multiple genes can interact to produce a specific phenotype. By studying epistasis, researchers can gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of genetic traits and the intricate relationships between genes in an organism.


Epistasis Examples

  1. The presence of epistasis can impact the expression of certain genes.
  2. Understanding epistasis is crucial in the study of genetic interactions.
  3. Epistasis plays a role in determining an individual's phenotype.
  4. Epistasis analysis can reveal important insights into genetic pathways.
  5. Researchers use epistasis to investigate the relationships between different genes.
  6. Epistasis can affect the outcome of genetic crosses in breeding experiments.
  7. Genetic diseases may result from disruptions in epistatic interactions.
  8. Epistasis can complicate the prediction of traits based on genotypes.
  9. Epistasis can mask the effects of individual alleles in a genetic pathway.
  10. Studying epistasis helps unravel the complexity of genetic systems.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 23/04/2024 - 04:38:11