genetic
juh-NET-ik
/dʒəˈnet.ɪk/
Relating to genes, biological heredity, or the underlying molecular mechanisms of life variation.
In environmental science, 'genetic diversity' measures the range of inherited DNA traits across individuals in a single species.
The story behind the word. Traces directly to Greek genesis ('origin, birth, creation'). English biologist William Bateson introduced 'genetics' in 1905 to name the discipline studying heredity. 'Genetic' became essential across evolutionary biology to describe the hidden hereditary code.
Word relationships
- hereditary: Hereditary refers to traits passed down from parents, while genetic covers the molecular structures and gene pools.
- acquired: Developed through environmental factors during life rather than inherited at birth.
Commonly confused with
- genomic: Genetic relates to individual genes or inherited traits, whereas genomic relates to the total overall DNA sequence of an organism.
Word family
- gene (noun): A unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring.
- genetics (noun): The scientific study of heredity and biological variation.
Collocations
- genetic diversity
- genetic variation
- genetic drift
- genetic code
Example sentences
- "Population bottlenecks reduce genetic diversity, leaving rare species vulnerable to fatal disease outbreaks." Conservation biology paper
- "Maintaining robust genetic variation is critical to preventing inbreeding depression in small wildlife populations." Genetic health review
Memory hook
GENETIC relates to your GENES and GENESIS (origin). Relating to inherited DNA.
When not to use
Do not use to describe learned behaviors or environmental habits that are not inherited biologically.
Fun facts
- Cheetahs experienced an extreme genetic bottleneck thousands of years ago, rendering all living cheetahs almost genetically twin-like.
Related words
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