translocation
|trans-lo-ca-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌtrænsloʊˈkeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌtrænsləʊˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
moving/placing across
Etymology
'translocation' originates from Latin elements 'trans-' and 'locare' via Neo-Latin/Modern Latin (formed from 'translocare'), where 'trans-' meant 'across' and 'locare' meant 'to place'.
'translocation' developed from the verb 'translocate' (from Neo-Latin 'translocare' and Medieval/Modern Latin forms such as 'translocatio') and entered English usage as the noun 'translocation' to denote the action or result of moving or placing across.
Initially it meant 'the action of placing or moving across,' but over time it became specialized in fields such as genetics (chromosome rearrangement), ecology (relocation of organisms), and cell biology (movement across membranes).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a chromosomal abnormality in which a segment of one chromosome becomes attached to another chromosome (genetics).
The patient was found to have a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22.
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Noun 2
the deliberate or natural movement of organisms from one location to another (ecology/conservation), especially for reintroduction or population management.
Translocation of endangered species has helped re-establish populations in the reserve.
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Noun 3
the movement of molecules or proteins across a biological membrane or from one cellular compartment to another (cell biology).
Protein translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum depends on the signal peptide.
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Noun 4
the surgical or mechanical transfer of an organ, tissue, or structure to a different position.
The surgeon performed a tendon translocation to correct the wrist deformity.
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Last updated: 2025/09/25 11:16