gene
UK: dʒiːn | US: dʒiːn
n. A unit of heredity that is transferred from parent to offspring and determines some characteristic of the offspring.
n. (Molecular biology) A distinct sequence of nucleotides forming part of a chromosome, encoding a functional product (e.g., a protein).
The word "gene" originates from the Greek genos (γένος), meaning "race" or "kind." It was coined in 1909 by Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen to describe the fundamental unit of heredity. The term reflects the concept of biological inheritance and classification, evolving from earlier uses in words like "genesis" (origin) and "genetic" (relating to origin). Its adoption marked a pivotal moment in genetics, distilling complex hereditary theories into a concise, functional term.
The scientist studied how the gene influences eye color.
Mutations in this gene are linked to increased disease risk.
CRISPR technology allows precise editing of a gene sequence.
Each gene carries instructions for building specific proteins.
The discovery of the BRCA1 gene revolutionized cancer research.