gene flow

noun

: the passage and establishment of genes typical of one breeding population into the gene pool of another

Examples of gene flow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For that study, Princeton University researchers looked at recurrent gene flow between humans and Neandertals over the last 200,000 years. Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2024 Scientists and conservationists say this wildlife passage will also be crucial to restoring gene flow among small, isolated populations of cougars trapped south of the freeway in the Santa Monica Mountains, and cougars confined to the north in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains. Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024 Wolves have low genetic diversity, and advocates believe setting up separate subpopulations — like the Grand Canyon ecoregion — will strengthen gene flow and create a backup if disease or wildfire decimates the current population in the experimental area. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 18 July 2024 In Japan, for example, there was a massive gene flow from Korea during the Bronze Age. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 22 Dec. 2021 See all Example Sentences for gene flow 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gene flow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gene flow was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near gene flow

Cite this Entry

“Gene flow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene%20flow. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

gene flow

noun
: the passage and establishment of genes typical of one breeding population into the gene pool of another

More from Merriam-Webster on gene flow

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