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genea unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and determines some characteristics

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and determines some characteristics

Pronunciation (IPA): /dʒiːn/

Example Sentences

  • My mom's 'shopping gene' is definitely dominant in our family tree!
  • Scientists are studying genes to understand genetic diseases.
  • I must have inherited the 'can't-wake-up-early' gene from both parents.

gene

NOUN

[/dʒiːn/]

a unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and determines some characteristics

The gene for eye color was passed from parent to child.
💡 Concept

The gene for eye color was passed from parent to child.

Scientists discovered a gene linked to a rare characteristic.
🧠 Mnemonic

Scientists discovered a gene linked to a rare characteristic.

A gene can't be seen, but its effects are passed between generations.
🎵 Rhyme

A gene can't be seen, but its effects are passed between generations.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dʒiːn/
🇬🇧 UK/dʒiːn/

🌳Etymology

Rootgen-

Origin

From German 'Gen,' coined by Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909, derived from Greek 'genesis' meaning 'origin' or 'generation.' The term was created to describe the fundamental unit of heredity.

Breakdown

Greek genos (origin, race, kind) → German Gen → English gene; no productive morphemes in the English form, it functions as a simple noun

🎵Rhyme

seenmeancleanscreen
seen
mean
clean
screen

🔗Collocations

dominant gene
recessive gene
gene therapy
gene expression
mutant gene
carry genes

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My mom's 'shopping gene' is definitely dominant in our family tree!

Scientists are studying genes to understand genetic diseases.

😄 Fun example

I must have inherited the 'can't-wake-up-early' gene from both parents.

Gene editing technology has advanced rapidly in recent years.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

chromosomeDNAhereditary factorgenetic material

Antonyms

acquired traitenvironmental factor

Related

geneticshereditymutationgenomealleletraitinheritance

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