Gene
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /d͡ʒiːn/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Gene is a noun meaning (genetics) A theoretical unit of heredity of living organisms which may take several values and (in principle) predetermines a precise trait of an organism's form (phenotype), such as hair color.
Meaning
(genetics) A theoretical unit of heredity of living organisms which may take several values and (in principle) predetermines a precise trait of an organism's form (phenotype), such as hair color.
More Meanings
- (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, such as (often) the structure of a protein.
Example Sentences
Holonym: locus
Near-synonym: cistron (often synonymous)
A change in a gene is reflected in the protein or RNA molecule that it codes for.
A length of DNA is divided into segments called chromosomes and shorter individual units called genes.
Word Forms
- genes
Synonyms for gene
Depending on context, synonyms include cistron.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include allele, genetics, genome, allelomorph, allelic, genetic.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.