gene
pronunciation
How to pronounce gene in British English:
UK [dʒiːn]
How to pronounce gene in American English:
US [dʒiːn]
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- Noun:
- (genetics) a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity
Word Origin
- gene (n.)
- 1911, from German Gen, coined 1905 by Danish scientist Wilhelm Ludvig Johannsen (1857-1927), from Greek genea "generation, race," from PIE root *gene- (see genus). De Vries had earlier called them pangenes. Gene pool is attested from 1946.
Example
- 1. He says he is concerned about the gene spreading .
- 2. This is called a spontaneous gene mutation .
- 3. Could gene patents exist without obstructing research ?
- 4. The epigenome governs patterns of gene expression .
- 5. One key area of research is gene therapy .