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

The majority of porphyry copper deposits owe their economic value to concentration by weathering processes occurring millions of years after the hosting intrusion called supergene enrichment.

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

Hypogene ores are dominantly primary, and supergene ores are dominantly secondary, but either may include both primary and secondary ores.

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