Gene Definition: The Basic Unit of Heredity

Meaning 1：hereditary unit (gene)

gene 🔊

/dʒiːn/

A part of DNA that holds instructions from your parents, deciding things like how you look.

Gene highlighted on DNA double helix structure illustration

hereditary unit 🔊

➕

/həˈredɪtəri ˈjuːnɪt/

A gene is a segment of DNA that carries the information needed to produce a specific protein or function, acting as the basic physical and functional unit of heredity.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'genos' meaning race or birth; coined in 1909.

💡 Mnemonic

Genes are like 'Gen'eral instructions for your body's traits.

📖 Example

She inherited her father's gene for being tall. 🔊 She inherited her father's gene for being tall.

🔗 Collocations

dominant gene – A gene that expresses its trait even when paired with a different version.

recessive gene – A gene that only expresses its trait when paired with an identical version.

gene mutation – A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence of a gene.

🔄 Synonyms

hereditary factor (n.) – A factor that is passed from parent to offspring and determines characteristics.

genetic element (n.) – A component of DNA that carries genetic information.

allele (n.) – One of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation.

🚫 Antonyms

environmental factor (n.) – A non-genetic influence that affects an organism's traits.

epigenetic mark (n.) – A modification that alters gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.

🌱 Derivatives

genetic (adj.) – Relating to genes or heredity.

genetics (n.) – The study of genes and heredity.

genome (n.) – The complete set of genes in an organism.

📖 Cultural Story

Coined by Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909 from Greek 'genos' (race, offspring). It replaced the earlier term 'pangene' and became fundamental in genetics.