intron

[in-tron] /ˈɪn trɒn/

noun, Genetics.

a noncoding segment in a length of DNA that interrupts a gene-coding sequence or nontranslated sequence, the corresponding segment being removed from the RNA copy before transcription.

Also called intervening sequence.

Compare exon² .

Origin

1975-80; perhaps intr(o)- + -on¹

British Dictionary definitions for intron

intron

/ˈɪntrɒn/

noun

(biochem) a stretch of DNA that interrupts a gene and does not contribute to the specification of a protein Compare exon²

Word Origin

C20: from intr(agenic) (regi)on

Word Origin and History for intron

1978, from intragenic + -on.

intron in Medicine

intron in·tron (ĭn'trŏn)
n.
A segment of a gene situated between exons that does not function in coding for protein synthesis.

intron in Science

intron

(ĭn'trŏn)
A segment of a gene situated between exons that does not function in coding for protein synthesis. After transcription of a gene to messenger RNA, the transcriptions of introns are removed, and the exons are spliced together by enzymes before translation and assembly of amino acids into proteins. Compare exon.

intron in Culture

intron definition

A stretch of DNA in a gene that does not code for proteins. In eukaryotes, introns in a given gene separate stretches of DNA that contain instructions for constructing proteins. (Compare exon.)