| 释义 |
pro·to·gene
\ˈprōd.ə+ˌ-\ noun
Etymology: prot- + gene
1. : a dominant gene or factor
2. [International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin protogenes primeval, firstborn, from Greek prōtogenēs, from prōt- prot- + -genēs born — more at -gen] : a hypothetical mutable primary unit that is capable of reduplication, is held to have differentiated from nonliving matter, and is regarded as a precursor of living beings |