gene
jeen
Gene (noun) means a segment of DNA that carries the instructions for a particular inherited trait. Example: “A single gene determines eye color in simplified models.”
noun
1
A segment of DNA that carries the instructions for a particular inherited trait.
"A single gene determines eye color in simplified models."
"Scientists identified the gene linked to the disease."
"Doctors tested her blood to see if she carried the gene."
How to use gene
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA unit of DNA that passes traits from parents to offspring.
Common pairings
gene pool
gene therapy
faulty gene
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Word forms
- Plural
- genes
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A single _____ determines eye color in simplified models.
Etymology
Coined in 1909 by Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen, taken from the last part of the earlier word pangene, itself rooted in Greek genea, "generation" or "descent."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for gene
See all rhymes for gene →Frequently asked questions
What does “gene” mean?
The word “gene” means a segment of DNA that carries the instructions for a particular inherited trait. In plain terms, a unit of DNA that passes traits from parents to offspring.
How do you pronounce “gene”?
“Gene” is pronounced jeen (/d͡ʒiːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “gene” in a sentence?
Here is “gene” used in a sentence: “A single gene determines eye color in simplified models.”
What part of speech is “gene”?
“Gene” is a noun.
Where does the word “gene” come from?
The word “gene” dates back to around 1909 and comes from Greek. Coined in 1909 by Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen, taken from the last part of the earlier word pangene, itself rooted in Greek genea, "generation" or "descent.".
Is “gene” a common word?
“Gene” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a gene and DNA?
DNA is the full molecule that stores an organism's genetic information, while a gene is a specific segment of that DNA carrying the instructions for one inherited trait. Every gene is made of DNA, but a strand of DNA contains many genes along its length.
What is the difference between a gene and a chromosome?
A chromosome is a long, tightly coiled strand of DNA that holds many genes, whereas a gene is one small section of that strand coding for a particular trait. In humans, thousands of genes are packed into 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Is a gene the same as an allele?
No. A gene is the segment of DNA responsible for an inherited trait, while an allele is one of the alternative versions of that same gene. For example, a gene might determine eye colour, and its alleles produce brown or blue.
What is the difference between gene, genetic, and genome?
"Gene" is a noun for a single unit of heredity, "genetic" is the adjective describing anything relating to genes, and "genome" refers to the complete set of genes in an organism. So a genome is made up of many genes, and genetic traits are those passed on through them.
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