What does recombination mean?
Recombination is the process of bringing material together in a new arrangement. Its most important scientific use is in genetics, where it describes the exchange and rearrangement of DNA, particularly during meiosis, the cell division that produces sex cells. This process can create new combinations of genetic variants and is therefore an important source of biological variation. The word can also be used more generally for a novel combination of ideas, features, or materials, although this usage is less common than the genetic sense. In scientific writing, recombination usually implies more than simply placing things together: it often suggests a meaningful rearrangement, exchange, or reassortment. The term is useful because it captures both the joining of elements and the resulting novelty of their new arrangement.
nounThe process of combining genetic material in a new arrangement, especially by exchanging segments of DNA during meiosis. More generally, it refers to the process of bringing elements together in a new combination.
- The process of exchanging and rearranging genetic material, especially between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.
- The general process of combining elements or information in a new arrangement.
"Genetic recombination increases the possible variation among offspring."
"The frequency of genetic recombination can be used to map genes."
"The design team considered several recombinations of colour, texture, and lighting."
The plural is used for distinct genetic events or for separate new combinations of elements.
"The researchers identified several recombination events in the offspring."
Genetic recombination shuffles the DNA passed from parents to offspring, helping create the astonishing genetic diversity of living things.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of recombination
Recombination is formed in English from the prefix re-, meaning again, and combine, with the suffix -ation. The verb combine comes through French from Latin com-, meaning together or with, and binare, meaning to put two things together. The derived noun recombination developed especially in scientific usage during the early twentieth century, when it became established for the genetic process of exchanging and rearranging heritable material.
Related word forms
How recombination is actually used
In biology, the term is technical and most often refers to the exchange and rearrangement of DNA. In general contexts, it is formal and denotes a novel combination of previously separate elements.
Easily confused with recombination
Combination is the general act of joining elements together, whereas recombination usually implies the specific rearrangement or exchange of genetic material.