| multigene family | <molecular biology> A set of genes coding for diverse proteins which, by virtue of their high degree of sequence similarity, are believed to have evolved from a single ancestral gene. An example is the immunoglobulin family where the characteristic features of the constant domains are found in various cell surface receptors. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| multigeneration study | Toxicity test in which at least 3 generations of the test organisms are exposed to the substance being assessed. Exposure is usually continuous. Any medical study which follows a family of people through several generations. (09 Oct 1997) |