Definition of "gene" in English

noun

1. (genetics) A theoretical unit of heredity of living organisms which may take several values and (in principle) predetermines a precise trait of an organism's form (phenotype), such as hair color.

   • Near-synonym: cistron (often synonymous)

2. (molecular biology) A segment of DNA or RNA from a cell's or an organism's genome, that may take several forms and thus parameterizes a phenomenon, such as (often) the structure of a protein.

   • Holonym: locus
   • A change in a gene is reflected in the protein or RNA molecule that it codes for.