Penetrance meaning

Penetrance refers to the percentage of individuals with a specific genetic mutation who exhibit the associated trait or phenotype.


Penetrance definitions

Word backwards ecnartenep
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division pen-e-trance
Plural The plural of the word penetrance is "penetrances."
Total letters 10
Vogais (2) e,a
Consonants (5) p,n,t,r,c

Penetrance is a term commonly used in genetics to describe the likelihood that a specific genotype will result in an associated phenotype. It refers to the proportion of individuals with a particular genetic variant who exhibit signs and symptoms of a genetic condition.

Genetics and Penetrance

Genes contain the instructions for making proteins that carry out various functions in the body. However, not all genetic variations lead to visible traits or diseases. Penetrance helps us understand the relationship between genes and their observable effects.

It is essential to note that penetrance is not an all-or-nothing concept. It can vary from complete penetrance, where all individuals with a specific genetic variant express the associated trait, to reduced penetrance, where only some individuals with the variant display the trait.

Factors Influencing Penetrance

Several factors can influence penetrance, including genetic modifiers, environmental factors, and random chance. Genetic modifiers are other genes that can enhance or suppress the effects of a particular gene, leading to variability in penetrance.

Genetic Counseling and Penetrance

Understanding penetrance is crucial in genetic counseling, as it helps predict the likelihood of an individual developing a genetic condition based on their genetic makeup. It also plays a significant role in informed decision-making regarding genetic testing and potential treatment options.


Penetrance Examples

  1. The penetrance of the genetic mutation was found to be 80% in affected individuals.
  2. The penetrance of the new drug in the population was measured to be 90%.
  3. High penetrance of the disease gene resulted in a higher risk of developing the condition.
  4. Low penetrance of the trait meant that only a small percentage of individuals exhibited the characteristic.
  5. The penetrance of the trait varied among different populations and ethnic groups.
  6. Incomplete penetrance of the gene mutation led to varying degrees of symptoms in affected individuals.
  7. The penetrance of the genetic marker was analyzed to determine its association with the disease.
  8. Differences in penetrance of the genetic variant were observed across different age groups.
  9. The penetrance of the genetic factor was found to be influenced by environmental factors.
  10. The penetrance of the inherited trait was evident in multiple generations of the family.


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 22/04/2024 - 12:55:16