protogene

noun

pro·​to·​gene

ˈprōtə+ˌ-

1

: a dominant gene or factor

2

[International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin protogenes primeval, firstborn, from Greek prōtogenēs, from prōt- prot- + -genēs born] : 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

Word History

Etymology

prot- + gene

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