gene S3 W3 /dʒiːn/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1900-2000 ; Language: German ; Origin: gen , from Greek genos 'birth, kind' ]
a part of a cell in a living thing that controls what it looks like, how it grows, and how it develops. People get their genes from their parents. ⇨ genetic :
human genes
the genes that regulate cell division
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a dominant gene (=a gene that has its effect when there is only one copy of it)
The disease occurs when a child inherits a single dominant gene from a parent with the disease.
▪ a recessive gene (=a gene that has its effect only when there are two copies of it)
The gene for blue eyes is recessive.
▪ a defective/faulty gene (=a gene that does not work properly)
The disease is caused by a defective gene.
▪ a human gene
The actual number of human genes is still in dispute.
■ verbs
▪ have a gene
Identical twins have the same genes.
▪ carry a gene (=have a gene that causes a medical condition which you can pass on to your children)
Some women carry a gene which makes them more likely to develop breast cancer.
▪ pass on a gene (=pass a gene to your children)
All animals try to maximize their chances of passing on their genes to the next generation.
▪ inherit a gene (=get a gene from your parents)
Children who inherit the defective gene seem normal at birth apart from a deformity of the toe.
▪ identify/discover a gene (=find a particular gene which is responsible for something)
Scientists have identified a gene which seems to protect Chinese people from some types of cancer.
■ gene + NOUN
▪ the gene pool (=all the genes in a particular species)
It is hoped that these new wolves will mate with the native population and increase the wolves' gene pool.
▪ gene therapy (=using genes to treat diseases)
Scientists have successfully treated the disease using gene therapy.