Chimera
Chimera (ki-me-ra)
Chimera (pronounced /kɪˈmɪərə/ or /kaɪˈmɪərə/) is a term originating from Greek mythology, where it referred to a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature. In the field of medicine and genetics, however, the term has a different connotation.
Etymology
The term 'Chimera' is derived from the Greek word 'Χίμαιρα' (Chímaira), which refers to a mythical creature that was a hybrid of a lion, goat, and serpent. In the medical context, it is used to describe an organism containing cells or tissues from two or more different species.
Definition
In medicine, a Chimera is an organism or tissue that contains at least two different sets of DNA, usually originating from the fusion of as many different zygotes (fertilized eggs). Chimeras can often be formed from four parent cells (two fertilized eggs or early embryos fused together). Each population of cells keeps its own character and the resulting organism is a mixture of tissues.
Related Terms
- Mosaicism: A condition in which cells within the same person have a different genetic makeup.
- Hybrid: An organism that is a mixture of two different species.
- Genetic Engineering: The direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chimera
- Wikipedia's article - Chimera
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