Definition

A condition where an organism has cells with different genetic makeups, resulting in tissues that are genetically diverse.

Example

Mosaicism can lead to variations in physical traits among cells in the same individual.

Conversation

Have you heard about mosaicism?

Yeah, it's when an organism has cells with different genetic makeups, right?

Exactly! I find it fascinating how that can happen naturally.

It really is cool; it shows how complex genetics can be.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Mosaicism → It is formed from "mosaicos" (from Greek "mosaikos", meaning pertaining to a mosaic) and "-ism" (a suffix used to form nouns indicating a practice or condition). The term "mosaicism" refers to a condition characterized by the presence of two or more genetically different cell lines in the same individual, akin to a mosaic of different colors and patterns.

Memory Tip

Imagine a beautiful artwork made of different colored tiles, where each tile represents a different genetic makeup. This helps you remember that mosaicism refers to a mix of different genetic lines in one individual.

Visually Confused Words