Gene (noun)
Definition
A gene is a specific sequence of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that contains the instructions for building and maintaining an organism. Genes are the basic units of heredity and determine the traits and characteristics of living organisms.
They play a crucial role in the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next.
Etymology
The term gene was first coined by the Danish botanist and geneticist Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909. It is derived from the Greek word genos, meaning race or origin.
Synonyms
- Genetic element
- DNA sequence
- Genetic code
Example
An example of a gene is the one responsible for determining eye color in humans. The gene for eye color contains the instructions for producing a pigment called melanin, which determines whether a person will have blue, green, brown, or another eye color.
This gene is passed down from parents to their offspring, and variations in the gene can lead to different eye colors in different individuals.
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