Words / B1

JEEN/dʒiːn/

A gene is a unit of DNA that passes on a trait: a gene for; carry a gene. Genetic is the adjective. DNA is the wider chemical. Countable: several genes. Do not call a whole illness “a gene”. NHS genetics clinics test for a family gene.

Meaning

A unit of DNA that passes a trait from parent to child.

Examples

• “The clinic offered a test for a gene linked to the family illness.”
• “Researchers named the gene after the chromosome, not the town.”

Good to know

a gene for / linked to. Adjective: genetic. Wider: DNA. Countable. Clinics: genetic testing. Not the name of a whole disease.

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