supergene

¹ American  

[soo-per-jeen] / ˈsu pərˌdʒin /

adjective

Geology.

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

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of supergene¹

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

Origin of supergene²

First recorded in 1945–50; super- + gene

Example Sentences

In both types of ants, one chromosome carries a collection of genes that are all inherited together and can control important traits and functions, known as a supergene.

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

This "supergene" takes up a large chunk of what may be the first known social chromosome, analogous to the chromosomes that determine sex in humans.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 16, 2013

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)