B2 noun Neutral

gene

/dʒiːn/

A gene is a basic unit of heredity in a living organism that carries information from one generation to the next. It consists of a specific sequence of DNA that determines particular characteristics or traits, such as eye color or height.

Ejemplos

3 de 5
1

I think I inherited the 'early riser' gene from my mother.

I believe I received the hereditary trait for waking up early from my mother.

2

The scientists have successfully mapped the specific gene associated with this rare disorder.

Researchers have identified the DNA sequence linked to this uncommon medical condition.

3

Athleticism is definitely in his genes; both his parents were Olympians.

Physical talent is a natural part of his biological makeup because his parents were elite athletes.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
gene
Adverbio
genetically
Adjetivo
genetic
Relacionado
genetics
💡

Truco para recordar

Remember that Gene starts with G like 'Generation'—it is what you pass down to the next generation.

Quiz rápido

Scientists are trying to determine which ____ is responsible for the plant's resistance to cold weather.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: gene

Ejemplos

1

I think I inherited the 'early riser' gene from my mother.

everyday

I believe I received the hereditary trait for waking up early from my mother.

2

The scientists have successfully mapped the specific gene associated with this rare disorder.

formal

Researchers have identified the DNA sequence linked to this uncommon medical condition.

3

Athleticism is definitely in his genes; both his parents were Olympians.

informal

Physical talent is a natural part of his biological makeup because his parents were elite athletes.

4

Expression of this particular gene is regulated by environmental factors during early development.

academic

The way this specific hereditary unit functions is controlled by the environment during the initial stages of growth.

5

The pharmaceutical firm is patenting a new gene-editing technique to treat chronic illnesses.

business

The drug company is legally protecting a method for modifying DNA sequences to cure long-term diseases.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
gene
Adverbio
genetically
Adjetivo
genetic
Relacionado
genetics

Colocaciones comunes

recessive gene a gene that is only expressed when two copies are present
dominant gene a gene that expresses its trait even if only one copy is present
gene therapy medical treatment involving the alteration of a patient's DNA
gene pool the stock of different genes in an interbreeding population
defective gene a gene that does not function correctly and may cause disease

Frases Comunes

it's in the genes

used to say a trait or ability is natural or inherited

jump the gene pool

to deviate significantly from family traits (humorous/slang)

gene editing

the process of making precise changes to DNA

Se confunde a menudo con

gene vs jeans

Jeans are denim trousers, whereas genes are units of heredity; they are homophones.

gene vs genus

A genus is a rank in biological classification above species, while a gene is a molecular unit of DNA.

📝

Notas de uso

The word 'gene' is often used metaphorically in daily life to describe personality traits, but in scientific contexts, it refers strictly to the biological instructions for building proteins.

⚠️

Errores comunes

Learners often use 'genetics' (the field of study) when they actually mean 'gene' (the physical unit). For example, saying 'I have a good genetics' instead of 'I have good genes'.

💡

Truco para recordar

Remember that Gene starts with G like 'Generation'—it is what you pass down to the next generation.

📖

Origen de la palabra

Coined in 1909 by Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen from the Greek word 'genos' meaning 'birth' or 'origin'.

Patrones gramaticales

countable noun plural: genes often used as a noun adjunct (e.g., gene sequencing)
🌍

Contexto cultural

The concept of 'genes' is central to the Western 'nature versus nurture' debate regarding how much of human behavior is biological.

Quiz rápido

Scientists are trying to determine which ____ is responsible for the plant's resistance to cold weather.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: gene

Palabras relacionadas

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

¿Te ha servido?
¡No hay comentarios todavía. Sé el primero en compartir tus ideas!

Empieza a aprender idiomas gratis

Empieza Gratis