ˈprōd.ə+ˌ- noun
Etymology: prot- + gene
1. : a dominant gene or factor
2.
[International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin protogenes primeval, firstborn, from Greek prōtogenēs, from prōt- prot- + -genēs born — more at -gen ]
: a hypothetical mutable primary unit that is capable of reduplication, is held to have differentiated from nonliving matter, and is regarded as a precursor of living beings