First Known Use: 1911
Dictionary
gene
noun \ˈjēn\
biology : a part of a cell that controls or influences the appearance, growth, etc., of a living thing
Full Definition of GENE
: a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located usually on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and especially a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material
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Origin of GENE
German Gen, short for Pangen, from pan- + -gen
Other Genetics Terms
GENE Defined for Kids
gene
noun \ˈjēn\
Definition of GENE for Kids
: a unit of DNA that is usually located on a chromosome and that controls the development of one or more traits and is the basic unit by which genetic information is passed from parent to offspring
Medical Dictionary
gene
noun \ˈjēn\
Medical Definition of GENE
: a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located usually on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and especially a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material—called also determinant, determiner, factor
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