supergene

¹ American  

[soo-per-jeen] / ˈsu pərˌdʒin /

adjective

Geology.

1. formed by descending waters, as mineral or ore deposits (opposed to hypogene).

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supergene ² American  

[soo-per-jeen] / ˈsu pərˌdʒin /

noun

Genetics.

1. a portion of a chromosome consisting of linked genes that act as a single unit of inheritance.

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Etymology

Origin of supergene¹

1945–50; super- + -gene, as in hypogene

Origin of supergene²

First recorded in 1945–50; super- + gene

Example Sentences

Trible attributes this rapid transformation to mutations in a supergene that contains genes coding for several traits that determine what the workers look like and how they act.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 5, 2023

This supergene appears to have removed the parasites’ ability to be workers and allows them to play a role not typically found in the raider species.

From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2023

Ague, J. J. & Brimhall, G. H. Geochemical modeling of steady state fluid flow and chemical reaction during supergene enrichment of porphyry copper deposits.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

The suite of genes in the inversion was cemented together as a supergene that was inherited in one large chunk.

From Nature • Nov. 22, 2016

As illustrative of the above remarks reference may be made to a few terms commonly used in economic geology, such as primary, secondary, syngenetic, epigenetic, supergene, hypogene, protore, etc.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)