Trans

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Trans is a Latin noun or prefix, meaning "across", "beyond" or "on the opposite side [of]" . It is the opposite of cis, which means "on the same side [of]".

• In chemistry, a double bond (or ring) not subject to free rotation in which the greater radical on both ends is on the opposite side of the bond (or face of the ring) is called trans. Compare with cis.

In the diagram on the right, the hydrogen atoms are on opposite sides of the carbon chain. They cannot rotate to the same side of the molecule, as (unlike with a single bond) double bonds prevent this from happening. A similar phenomenon is seen in cyclic compounds (in which the atoms form a closed ring), where substituents can be on the same "face" of the ring (cis) or opposite faces (trans.)

See geometric isomerism for more on this topic. See also Trans fat.

• In molecular and cellular biology, external factors which act on a molecule (i.e., intermolecular interactions) are considered to act in trans. For example, proteins which are transcription factors bind to the DNA in trans to modify the rate of RNA transcription. Internal factors act in cis (i.e., intramolecular). For example, a specific promoter sequence which recruits RNA polymerase and thereby increases the rate of RNA transcription acts in cis.

• In geography, placenames beginning with the prefix Trans- convey the meaning "beyond" or "across" something. Examples include Transalpine Gaul (from Rome's viewpoint, Gaul on the opposite side of the Alps), Transkei (referring to the Kei River), Transvaal (Vaal River), Transleithania (Leitha), Transmuraland (Mura), Transoxiana (Oxus), Transsiberian (Siberia), Transjordan (former name of Jordan), Transcaucasus (Caucasus mountains) and Transylvania ("beyond the forest"). The antonym is Cis-.

• In astronomy translunar means: in outer space outside the Moon's orbit. Cislunar is its antonym. Similarly, a Trans-Neptunian object is a celestial object orbiting the Sun outside the orbit of Neptune, and Cis-Neptunian objects are at or before Neptune's orbit.

• In the context of sex and gender, Trans is an umbrella term used to include all people who at least partially reject the gender they were assigned to at birth. It is derived from the terms transsexual, transgender and transition but also encompasses some groups such as genderqueer and other gender variant people who do not use labels with the "trans" prefix. The term transgender is often used with the same meaning, but it is not always preferred by those who identify as trans.

• The term transsexual (alternatively spelt transexual) is a portmanteau of the latin "trans" (across) and the English "sexuality" which refers to people whose gender identity is incongruent with their physical or assigned sex, and who desires or has had medical treatment to alter their bodies to better reflect their gender identity. It is an antonym of cisgender.
• A trans man is a man who identifies as both trans and male (irrespective of physical characteristics and assigned sex). A trans woman is a person who identifies as both trans and female (also irrespective of physical characteristics and assigned sex). Both terms are antonyms of cisgender.

Trans is also:

• Trans, Switzerland, a municipality in the Grisons
• Trans, a commune in the Mayenne département, in France;
• Trans-en-Provence, a commune in the Var département, in France;
• a shortname for Trans World Airlines (TWA) airline company
• Trans (album) 1982 album by Neil Young.

[edit] References

• Christine Burns: Why Phrasebook Diversity is not Enough

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