plural genes
: 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
Examples of gene in a Sentence
She inherited a good set of genes from her parents.
Recent Examples on the Web
What's more, silencing of the gene didn't appear to have any detrimental effects on the plants.
—
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2024
Lonely Guy genes By removing prickles from various species, including roses and eggplants, the authors found that a LOG gene was responsible for the prickles in about 20 types of plants studied.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 1 Aug. 2024
Related: Malaria parasite may trigger human odor to lure mosquitoes
With each infection phase, the parasite shapeshifts, with different genes activated and proteins expressed, becoming almost like a new creature.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 1 Aug. 2024
Getting a tree to produce less lignin isn’t as simple as flipping on or off a single gene.
—Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gene 
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2024
Lonely Guy genes By removing prickles from various species, including roses and eggplants, the authors found that a LOG gene was responsible for the prickles in about 20 types of plants studied.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 1 Aug. 2024
Related: Malaria parasite may trigger human odor to lure mosquitoes
With each infection phase, the parasite shapeshifts, with different genes activated and proteins expressed, becoming almost like a new creature.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 1 Aug. 2024
Getting a tree to produce less lignin isn’t as simple as flipping on or off a single gene.
—Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gene
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near gene
Cite this Entry
“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gene
noun
: a part of DNA or sometimes RNA that is usually located on a chromosome and that contains chemical information needed to make a particular protein (as an enzyme) controlling or influencing an inherited bodily trait or activity (as eye color or metabolism) or that influences or controls the activity of another gene or genes
Medical Definition
gene
noun
: 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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