plasmagene

[plaz-muh-jeen]

noun

Genetics.

1. a self-replicating genetic particle postulated to be in the cytoplasm of a cell, as in mitochondria.

plasmagene

/ ˌplæzməˈdʒɛnɪk, ˈplæzməˌdʒiːn /

noun

1. biology any gene other than those carried in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell, such as a mitochondrial gene

Other Word Forms

• plasmagenic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plasmagene¹

First recorded in 1935–40; plasma + gene

Example Sentences

If something goes wrong with the division of one of them, a law less plasmagene may be produced.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive