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Definition: gene from Collins English Dictionary

n

1 a unit of heredity composed of DNA occupying a fixed position on a chromosome (some viral genes are composed of RNA). A gene may determine a characteristic of an individual by specifying a polypeptide chain that forms a protein or part of a protein (structural gene); or encode an RNA molecule; or regulate the operation of other genes or repress such operation See also operon

[C20: from German Gen, shortened from Pangen; see pan-, -gen]


gene

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Molecular unit of inherited material in a living organism. Genes contain all the information that enables an organism to build and maintain its cells and to pass genetic traits to its offspring. The entirety of the genetic information of a given organism is referred to as its genome . The inheritance of genes and the way they work is studied in genetics . Since the late 1990s, this has been complemented by the large-scale study of entire genomes, known as genomics . Genes can be manipulated using the techniques of genetic engineering . In all organisms except viruses (which use RNA ), genes are made of DNA located at a fixed point (locus) on linear chromosomes . A gene consistently affects a particular character ( phenotype ) in an individual and may have several variants ( alleles ), each specifying a particular form of that character. For example, the gene for eye colour has alleles for blue or brown eyes. Some alleles show dominance and mask the effect of other alleles, known as…
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Full text Article gene

From Philip's Encyclopedia
Unit by which hereditary characteristics pass from one generation to another in plants and animals. A gene is a length of DNA that codes for a particular protein or peptide. Genes are found along the chromosomes . In most cell nuclei, genes occur in pairs, one located on each of a chromosome pair. …
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Full text Article GENE

From Gaither's Dictionary of Scientific Quotations
Neuroscientist and computer scientist In the beginning was the word WORD WORE GORE GONE GENE and by the mutations came the gene. Towards a Theoretical Biology: In IUBS Symposium (Volume 2 ) (p. 323 ) 1968. …
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Full text Article gene

From The Chambers Dictionary
the hereditary determinant of a specified difference between individuals, shown by molecular analysis to be a specific sequence or parts of a sequence of DNA. [Ger Gen , from Gr -genēs born] adj of or relating to a gene. ❑ gene amplification n ( biol ) the formation of multiple copies of a…
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Full text Article gene

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Molecular unit of inherited material in a living organism. Genes contain all the information that enables an organism to build and maintain its cells and to pass genetic traits to its offspring. The entirety of the genetic information of a given organism is referred to as its genome . The…
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Full text Article gene

From Penguin Dictionary of Biology
Usually regarded as the smallest physical unit of heredity encoding a molecular cell product; commonly considered also to be a UNIT OF SELECTION . The term ‘gene’ (coined by W. Johannsen in 1909 ) may be used in more than one sense. These include: ALLELE , LOCUS , and CISTRON . What MENDEL treated…
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Full text Article gene

From The American Heritage Student Science Dictionary
A segment of DNA, occupying a specific place on a chromosome, that is the basic unit of heredity. Genes act by directing the production of RNA, which controls the synthesis of proteins. Different forms of the same gene are called alleles. Many physical traits, such as the texture of a tree’s bark, …
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Full text Article Gene

From Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics
The gene is the unit of heredity. While this definition may seem to stand on its own and not need further explanation, in fact, it represents a continuing evolution in the way we view the biological process of inheritance. Mendel’s view of the gene (the mechanism of inheritance) was an important…
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Full text Article Genes

From 50 Biology Ideas You Really Need to Know
Genes
Genes carry biological information from one generation to the next, and shape an organism's every characteristic, from inner metabolism to its outward appearance. A full set of genes – the genome – encodes the instructions for building an individual and influences their ability to grow, survive and…
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Full text Article gene

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
the structural unit of inheritance in living organisms. A gene is, in essence, a segment of DNA that has a particular purpose, i.e., that codes for (contains the chemical information necessary for the creation of) a specific enzyme or other protein. The strands of DNA on which the genes occur are…
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Full text Article Genes

From Black's Medical Dictionary, 43rd Edition
Humans possess around 30,000 genes which are the biological units of heredity. They are arranged along the length of the 23 pairs of CHROMOSOMES and, like the chromosomes, therefore come in pairs (see GENETIC CODE ). Human beings have 46 chromosomes, comprising two sex chromosomes and 44 autosomes, …
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