splice

Splice is a term used across several fields to describe the act of joining two pieces into a continuous whole, or the resulting junction. It can refer to physical joining, such as tying or weaving ends, or to a process that connects segments within a system. The precise method and terminology vary by domain, but the underlying idea is to create a seamless connection between previously separate parts.

In ropework, a splice is a method of joining two rope ends by interweaving strands to form a single, stronger continuous length. Common forms include the eye splice, which creates an opening at the end, and the long splice, which extends along the rope's length. Splices are valued for maintaining strength and flexibility and are often used in rigging, climbing, and maritime contexts. Electrical splicing, by contrast, involves securely connecting conductors with insulation.

In film and video editing, splicing refers to joining pieces of film or clips to create a continuous sequence. In traditional filmmaking, physical splices used tape or cement; modern editing uses digital splicing to cut and reassemble footage, sound, and effects. The term also appears in the broader sense of cutting and recombining material to tell a story.

In molecular biology, RNA splicing is a post-transcriptional process by which introns are removed from a pre-mRNA transcript and exons are joined to form a mature mRNA molecule. This reaction is carried out by the spliceosome, a complex of small nuclear RNAs and proteins. Splicing patterns can be constitutive or alternative; alternative splicing allows a single gene to produce multiple protein isoforms, increasing proteome diversity. Errors in splicing can disrupt protein function and are associated with various diseases. Splicing also encompasses processes at the DNA level in some organisms, and terminology extends to trans-splicing and other RNA editing mechanisms.