Heterochromatization

/ˌhetərəkroʊmətəˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The biological process of converting active chromatin into tightly packed, inactive heterochromatin.

Etymology

From heterochromatin + -ization (process of becoming). Modern molecular biology term describing dynamic chromatin remodeling mechanisms.

Kelly Says

Your cells constantly perform heterochromatization to silence genes they don't need—it's like filing away old documents instead of deleting them, so they can be unfiled if needed later.

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