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penetrance

n. in genetics, the extent to which the effects of an allele are manifest in the individuals possessing it, expressed as the fraction or percentage of individuals carrying that allele who manifest the trait associated with it. If all persons who possess a particular dominant allele develop the associated trait, the allele is said to show complete penetrance (100%). In contrast, incomplete penetrance occurs when some individuals with a particular allele do not develop the associated trait.

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Psychology term of the day

February 25th 2025

psychomimic syndrome

psychomimic syndrome

a condition in which an individual who lacks physical evidence of an illness develops symptoms of an illness experienced by another person, who may have died of the disorder. The symptoms usually occur around the anniversary of the death of the other person. See also anniversary reaction.