klonale

Klonale is an adjective used in biology to describe properties that derive from a clone or clonal lineage. In German-language scientific writing, klonale (feminine form of klonal) is commonly used; in English, the standard adjective is clonal, though klonale may appear in bilingual texts or translations.

Etymology: from clone, from Greek klōn meaning "twig, shoot" via Latin and Germanic developments. The form klonale follows German grammar where adjectives agree with nouns in gender and case.

Usage: In genetics, microbiology and oncology, klonale describes populations, tissues, or cells that originate from a single ancestor. Examples include klonale Zelllinien (clonal cell lines) and klonale expansion in tumors, where a single cancer cell clone predominates. In immunology, clonality is assessed by analyzing receptor gene rearrangements to determine whether B or T cell populations are clonal.

Terminology and distinctions: The term clonal is more widely used in English; monoclonal, polyclonal, and clonal expansion are common phrases. Klonale is mostly found in German-language literature and among bilingual scientists.

See also: clonality, clonal expansion, monoclonal, monoclonal antibodies, clonal evolution.