基因是生物體內攜帶遺傳資訊的基本單位。
基本定義
EN: A unit of heredity that is transferred from parent to offspring.
翻譯: 從親代傳遞給子代的遺傳單位。
功能角色
EN: A sequence of DNA that determines a particular trait or function.
翻譯: 決定特定性狀或功能的DNA序列。
分子層次
EN: The basic physical and functional unit of heredity.
翻譯: 遺傳的基本物理與功能單位。
現代應用
EN: A target for editing in biotechnology to alter organism characteristics.
翻譯: 生物技術中用於編輯、以改變生物特性的目標。
小提醒：注意：'gene' 是名詞，不可當動詞使用。例如，不能說 'to gene something'，正確說法是 'to edit a gene' 或 'to inherit a gene'。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Gene" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“Well, he sat down with our sole correspondent, Gene McKenzie, ahead of his trip to the UN General Assembly to give his first broadcast interview since taking office in June.”
1. a unit of heredity that is passed from parent to offspring and determines some characteristic
從親代傳給子代並決定某些特徵的遺傳單位
Eye color is determined by a specific gene.
眼睛的顏色是由一個特定的基因決定的。
Scientists are studying the gene responsible for this disease.
科學家正在研究導致這種疾病的基因。
2. a specific sequence of DNA that codes for a protein or functional RNA molecule
一段為蛋白質或功能性RNA分子編碼的特定DNA序列
The gene was successfully mapped on the chromosome.
這個基因在染色體上的位置被成功定位了。
Mutations in this gene can lead to significant changes.
這個基因的突變可能導致顯著的變化。
3. a concept in genetics representing the basic physical and functional unit of heredity
遺傳學中的一個概念，代表遺傳的基本物理和功能單位
The modern concept of the gene has evolved significantly.
現代基因的概念已經有了顯著的演變。
Her research focuses on the regulation of gene expression.
她的研究重點是基因表現的調控。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| gene + for + [trait] | 控制…（性狀）的基因 | Scientists have identified the gene for blue eye colour. (科學家已經找到了控制藍眼睛顏色的基因。) |
| gene + that + [clause] | 一個…的基因 | They discovered a gene that regulates metabolism. (他們發現了一個調節新陳代謝的基因。) |
| gene + involved in + [process] | 參與…過程的基因 | This is a key gene involved in cell division. (這是一個參與細胞分裂的關鍵基因。) |
| gene + expression | 基因表現 | The study focused on gene expression in different tissues. (這項研究聚焦於不同組織中的基因表現。) |
| gene + therapy | 基因療法 | Gene therapy offers hope for treating certain genetic disorders. (基因療法為治療某些遺傳性疾病帶來了希望。) |
| gene + pool | 基因庫 | Conservation efforts aim to protect the species' gene pool. (保育工作的目的是保護該物種的基因庫。) |
| gene + editing | 基因編輯 | CRISPR is a revolutionary gene editing technology. (CRISPR是一項革命性的基因編輯技術。) |
| gene + mutation | 基因突變 | A single gene mutation can sometimes cause disease. (單一的基因突變有時會導致疾病。) |
對比例句： EN: Scientists have identified the gene responsible for this trait. 翻譯: 科學家已找出負責此性狀的基因。
EN:The disease is caused by a genetic mutation.
翻譯:這種疾病是由基因突變引起的。
請記住 gene 是名詞（基因），而 genetic 是形容詞（基因的、遺傳的），兩者詞性與用法不同。
gene vs allele
「gene」是控制特定性狀的遺傳單位，而「allele」是該基因的特定變體形式。
gene vs chromosome
「gene」是遺傳指令的基本單位，而「chromosome」是承載許多基因的結構。
gene vs genome
「gene」是單一的遺傳功能單位，而「genome」是一個生物體完整的遺傳物質總和。
在對話中，當引述或提及一個普遍概念而非特定實例時，常會使用「gene」這個詞。 EN: I read somewhere that there's a gene linked to being a morning person. 翻譯: 我在某處讀到，有一個基因和成為晨型人有關。
EN:She said the doctor explained it's all in the genes, so there's not much we can do.
翻譯:她說醫生解釋這全在基因裡，所以我們能做的有限。
在非正式對話中，會用「gene」來強調某種特質是天生的、無法改變的，常帶有幽默或誇張的語氣。 EN: He's so messy—I swear he has a clutter gene. 翻譯: 他太亂了——我發誓他有個雜亂基因。
EN:Sorry I'm late, my punctuality gene must be broken.
翻譯:抱歉我遲到了，我的守時基因肯定壞了。
在思考或組織語言時，有時會用「genes」作為一個填充詞，來引出關於家族或遺傳的話題。 EN: It's probably... genes, you know? Everyone in my family is tall. 翻譯: 這可能是...基因，你知道嗎？我家每個人都很高。
EN:Well, the talent could come from... genes, I guess, but she also practices a lot.
翻譯:嗯，這天賦可能來自...基因，我猜，但她練習得也很勤。
正式寫作注意：在學術論文、正式報告或科學寫作中，應避免上述口語化、比喻性或幽默的用法。請精確使用「gene」指涉生物學上的遺傳單位，並提供具體的基因名稱（如 BRCA1）或使用標準科學術語。
gene expression
noun + noun
基因表現
gene therapy
noun + noun
基因治療
gene pool
noun + noun
基因庫
gene editing
noun + noun
基因編輯
carry a gene
verb + a + noun
帶有某基因
gene mutation
noun + noun
基因突變
gene sequence
noun + noun
基因序列
dominant gene
adjective + noun
顯性基因
×The scientist studied the human gene.
✓The scientist studied human genes. / The scientist studied a human gene.
"Gene" is a countable noun. When referring to the general concept or multiple units, use the plural form "genes" or specify with "a gene". Using "the" with the singular form implies one specific, previously mentioned gene.
×The gene of intelligence is complex.
✓The gene for intelligence is complex.
When describing what a gene is responsible for or associated with, use the preposition "for", not "of". "Gene for [trait/function]" is the standard collocation.
×Gene is the basic unit of heredity.
✓A gene is the basic unit of heredity. / The gene is the basic unit of heredity.
When making a general statement about what a gene is, you must use an article ("a" for one example of the class, "the" for the class as a whole). The singular countable noun cannot stand alone.
×He has a gene disease.
✓He has a genetic disease.
"Gene" is a noun. The adjective form is "genetic", which means "relating to genes or heredity". Use "genetic" to modify nouns like disease, disorder, code, information, etc.
×The gene expresses a protein.
✓The gene is expressed to produce a protein. / The gene codes for a protein.
In biology, "gene expression" is the standard term. A gene itself does not actively "express"; rather, it "is expressed" (passive voice) or we say it "codes for" something. The active verb "express" is typically used with the cell or organism as the subject.
×These gene are mutated.
✓These genes are mutated.
The demonstrative adjective "these" must be followed by a plural noun. Ensure subject-verb agreement: plural "genes" requires plural verb "are".