Gene

Pronunciation

• enPR: jÄ“n, IPA: /dÊ’iːn/
• Rhymes: -iːn
• Homophones: Gene, Jean

Origin

From German Gen, coined by Wilhelm Ludvig Johannsen from Ancient Greek

γενεά (geneá, "generation, descent") from the aorist infinitive of γίγνομαι (gígnomai, "I come into being").

Full definition of gene

Noun

1. (genetics) A unit of heredity; a segment of DNA or RNA that is transmitted from one generation to the next, and that carries genetic information such as the sequence of amino acids for a protein.
• 2013-06-21, Karen McVeigh, US rules human genes can't be patented, The US supreme court has ruled unanimously that natural human genes cannot be patented, a decision that scientists and civil rights campaigners said removed a major barrier to patient care and medical innovation.

Derived terms

Related terms

• pangene