supergene

noun

su·per·gene ˈsü-pər-ˌjēn

: a group of linked genes acting as an allelic unit especially when due to the suppression of crossing-over

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web These physical or statistical associations of genes can form a de facto supergene through linkage, and their variants combine to form haplotypes, sequences of markers across small stretches of the genome. —

Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 10 Aug. 2011 The results suggested that the mechanism behind the swallowtail’s mimicry was a supergene, which commanded a whole constellation of individual genes and was therefore capable of major changes that could be easily mistaken for macromutation. —

Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 1 Feb. 2022 Chromosomal rearrangements maintain a polymorphic supergene controlling butterfly mimicry. —

Joseph Castro, Discover Magazine, 16 Aug. 2011 Further research may discover other supergene versions, Joron told the New York Times. Reference: M. Joron et al. —

Joseph Castro, Discover Magazine, 16 Aug. 2011 Any beneficial mutations arising within the inversion could then promote its spread as a supergene. —

Quanta Magazine, 8 Nov. 2022

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'supergene.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.