genomic plasticity

English

Noun

genomic plasticity (uncountable)

  1. (biology, genetics) The alterable nature of prokaryotic genomes that enables the fluid exchange of DNA from one microorganism to another and allows prokaryotes to adapt their genomes rapidly so they can survive changes in environmental conditions.
    • 2001, Orlando J. Miller, Eeva Therman, chapter 30, in Human Chromosomes, →ISBN, page 456:
      In fact, these subtelomeric regions are sites of marked genomic plasticity and appear to serve as nurseries for generating new genes and enhancing genetic diversity.
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