What does metaplasm mean?
Metaplasm is a specialist noun most often used in biology for a change in a cell's DNA sequence. Such changes may involve the insertion or deletion of genetic material, or the rearrangement of existing sequences, and can produce important genetic variation. The term can also be used more broadly for a transformation in the form, structure, or character of something, though this extended sense is less common. In scientific writing, metaplasm normally describes the genetic event rather than the visible outcome or the organism's overall adaptation. Its vocabulary relatives include metaplasia, which generally refers to the replacement of one cell type by another, and metaplastic, an adjective connected with such change. The word is especially useful for readers interested in genetics, cellular biology, mutation, and the scientific vocabulary of biological transformation.
nounIn biology, metaplasm is a change in a cell's DNA sequence caused by the insertion, deletion, or rearrangement of genetic material. The term can also refer more generally to a transformation in the form, structure, or nature of something.
- A change in a cell's DNA sequence resulting from the insertion, deletion, or rearrangement of genetic material.
- A transformation in the form, structure, or nature of something.
"Researchers investigated the metaplasm that allowed the organism to adapt to its new environment."
"The laboratory detected metaplasm in the bacterial population after several generations in the antibiotic."
"The novel's metaplasm from a realistic memoir into a surreal fable surprised its readers."
Plural metaplasms refers to multiple instances of genetic or structural transformation.
"The study documented several distinct metaplasms in the cultured cell line."
Metaplasm is the biological name for DNA doing an unexpected rewrite: changing its own sequence through insertions, deletions, and rearrangements.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of metaplasm
Metaplasm comes from Greek meta-, meaning change or transformation, and plasmos, a form related to the development of cells or tissue. The biological sense developed from the Greek-derived vocabulary of cellular change and was adopted in English in scientific usage during the 20th century. Its relatives include metaplasia, referring to a change in cellular differentiation, and metaplastic, describing something involving such transformation.
Related word forms
How metaplasm is actually used
In modern biology, metaplasm is chiefly a specialist term and is not interchangeable with ordinary transformation. The broader sense is uncommon and can sound formal or literary.
Easily confused with metaplasm
Metaplasm refers to a genetic or structural transformation, whereas metaplasia usually refers specifically to the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type by another.
Metaplasm is a change in genetic material or structure, while metamorphosis is a marked change in form or development, especially in animals.