noun
- segments of DNA or RNA that are removed during gene processing and do not code for proteins
Usage: biology; genetics
Examples
- The gene contains several introns that must be spliced out before translation.
- Introns are removed from pre-mRNA during the splicing process.
- Scientists discovered that introns make up a large portion of human genes.
- The removal of introns allows exons to be joined together to form mature mRNA.
- Some introns contain regulatory sequences that affect gene expression.
- Introns vary greatly in size, from dozens to thousands of base pairs.