Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The strong selection to survive until reproduction may favor so-called pleiotropic genes, which are helpful in early life but harmful later on.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 25, 2021

Indeed, many of these genetic variants may be pleiotropic, meaning they have different, often unrelated effects in different cells or tissues.

From Time • Jan. 9, 2017

Loss of function of this gene in mouse leads to a failure of hindlimb formation22, 23 as well as strong pleiotropic defects in lung25 and placental development22.

From Nature • Dec. 13, 2016

Single genes that tweak many different body traits are called pleiotropic, and pleiotropic genes can wield their power in different ways.

From Slate • Jul. 13, 2012

Many disorders are polygenic, the complex result of the interactions of many genes, and single genes can be pleiotropic, affecting multiple characteristics of the individual organism!

From Scientific American • Jun. 15, 2012