centimorgan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
very lowtechnical/scientific
Quick answer
What does “centimorgan” mean?
A unit of genetic linkage representing a 1% chance that two markers on a chromosome will be separated during recombination in a single generation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of genetic linkage representing a 1% chance that two markers on a chromosome will be separated during recombination in a single generation.
A quantitative measure used in genetic mapping to describe the distance between gene loci, influencing the probability of genetic linkage and inheritance patterns.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical or semantic differences; identical technical usage.
Connotations
Purely technical with no cultural or regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare outside genetics research in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “centimorgan” in a Sentence
The distance was measured in centimorgans.The loci are separated by X centimorgans.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “centimorgan” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- centimorgan distance
- centimorgan scale
American English
- centimorgan measurement
- centimorgan value
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in advanced genetics, genomics, and evolutionary biology research.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in genetic mapping, bioinformatics, and medical genetics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “centimorgan”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “centimorgan”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “centimorgan”
- Using 'centimorgan' to refer to physical DNA length.
- Pronouncing 'morgan' as a common given name /ˈmɔːrɡən/ rather than the specific /ˈmɔːɡən/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A centimetre is a unit of physical length, while a centimorgan is a unit of genetic linkage distance based on recombination probability.
It is named after the American geneticist Thomas Hunt Morgan, who pioneered work on chromosomal inheritance.
No, it is an exclusive term in genetics, genomics, and related fields like bioinformatics and breeding.
cM is the standard abbreviation for centimorgan, commonly used in genetic maps and research papers.
A unit of genetic linkage representing a 1% chance that two markers on a chromosome will be separated during recombination in a single generation.
Centimorgan is usually technical/scientific in register.
Centimorgan: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛntɪˈmɔːɡən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛn.t̬əˌmɔːr.ɡən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CENTImetre (a hundredth) + MORGAN (named after geneticist Thomas Hunt Morgan) = a hundredth of a Morgan, a unit of genetic distance.
Conceptual Metaphor
GENETIC DISTANCE IS PHYSICAL DISTANCE (though it measures recombination probability, not physical length).
Practice
Quiz
What does a centimorgan measure?