gene

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see also: Gene

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Etymology

From German Gen, from Ancient Greek γενεά, from the aorist infinitive of γίγνομαι ("I come into being").

Pronunciation

• enPR: jēn, IPA: /d͡ʒiːn/

Noun

gene (plural genes)

1. (genetics) A theoretical unit of heredity of living organisms; a gene may take several values and in principle predetermines a precise trait of an organism's form (phenotype), such as hair color.

   Coordinate term: cistron

2. (molecular biology) A segment of DNA or RNA from a cell's or an organism's genome, that may take several forms and thus parameterizes a phenomenon, in general the structure of a protein; locus.

   A change in a gene is reflected in the protein or RNA molecule that it codes for.

Related terms

• pangene

Translations

• French: gène
• German: Gen
• Italian: gene
• Portuguese: gene
• Russian: ген
• Spanish: gen, gene

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Gene

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈd͡ʒiːn/

Proper noun

1. A diminutive of Eugene, also used as a formal male given name.

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