Gene

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Gene

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

jeen  /dʒiːn/

Definition

A unit of heredity which is transferred from parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring; a sequence of DNA that codes for a specific protein or functional RNA molecule.

Plain meaning

A gene is the basic unit of heredity — the segment of DNA that carries the instruction for a specific characteristic or function, passed from parents to children.

Register

Technical and precise in molecular biology. Standard and widely understood in general educated usage. Emotionally charged in discussions of genetics, heredity, and identity.