Glossary of Genetic Terminology
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OBLIGATE MUTATION
CARRIER:
A family member who is clincally unaffected with a genetic condition but on the basis of their pedigree (family health tree), must be a carrier of a mutated gene for that condition.
ONCOGENE:
A gene which, when triggered, can lead to cancer
(see proto-oncogene).
ORGANELLE:
Structures within cells such as the nucleus, mitochondria and lysosomes which have special functions.
OVUM:
The female reproductive cell or egg which contains 23 chromosomes.