gene
/dʒin/
noun
- A unit of heredity that is passed from parent to offspring and determines some characteristic of the offspring, such as eye color or height.
- Scientists have identified a gene that may be linked to a higher risk of diabetes.
- The gene for blue eyes is recessive, so both parents must carry it.
- Every person has about 20,000 to 25,000 genes in their DNA.
- A part of a cell's DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein or molecule.
- The gene is activated when the cell needs to produce a particular enzyme.
- A mutation in a single gene can cause a disease like cystic fibrosis.
- Gene therapy aims to fix faulty genes by replacing them with healthy copies.