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glossary
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![[-- exon --]](Images/Terms/exon.gif){kind=small}
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| defined: |
The region of a gene that contains the code for producing the gene's protein. Each exon codes for a specific portion of the complete protein. In some species (including humans), a gene's exons are separated by long regions of DNA (called introns or sometimes "junk DNA") that have no apparent function.
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| explained: |
Listen to a detailed explanation.
Dr. John Carpten, of the National Human Genome Research Institute's Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, defines exon. |
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| illustrated: | View illustration | |
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related terms: |
gene, genetic code (ATGC), messenger RNA (mRNA), protein | |
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