wild type
The term "wild type" is used in biology and genetics to describe the most common form of a species or gene as it naturally occurs, serving as a reference point for comparing genetic variations.
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Definition
C1Molecular Biology
(technical)The standard reference strain of an organism or protein used for comparison with mutants or variants.
Example
- Researchers compared the mutant strain to the wild type to identify genetic differences.
C1Virology
(technical)The naturally occurring strain of a virus, distinct from laboratory-adapted or modified strains.
Example
- The wild type virus was used to test the effectiveness of the new vaccine.
C1Genetics
(technical)The most common form of a gene or phenotype in a natural population, often considered the standard or normal version.
Example
- In fruit flies, the red eye color is considered the wild type, while white eyes result from a mutation.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "wild type":