Studying the genetic basis of patient response to therapeutics allows drug developers to more effectively design therapeutic treatments. A trait which appears to be identical to a genetic trait, but which is caused by non-genetic factors. For example, blond hair could be called a trait or a phenotype, as could obesity. A phenotype can be the result of many factors, including an individual's genotype , environment, and lifestyle, and the interactions among these factors. The phenotype may be expressed physically, biochemically, or physiologically.
Distance is measured in base pairs.
Aa structure composed of DNA that is separate from the cell's genome. In bacteria, plasmids confer a variety of traits and can be exchanged between individuals- even those of different species. Plasmids can be manipulated in the laboratory to deliver specific genetic sequences into a cell. One gene leading to many different phenotypic expressions. An excellent example of a gene with pleiotropic effects is the gene for myotonic dystrophy.