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Glite Dictionary
genetic constitution

genetic constitution

6.4
All the genes a person, animal, or plant has that decide traits passed from their parents
  • noun
  • /dʒəˈnɛtɪk ˌkɒnstitjuˈʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : constitución genética
  • One way to assess the genetic constitution of individuals is by considering the expression of genetically determined traits through controlled breeding programs.

Examples

  • Another point to remember is that, at least in dealing with animals, when we do these genetic manipulations in the test tube and change the genetic constitution of animals, what we are really doing is creating engineered things.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The early events of really setting the genetic constitution have taken place and often they don't work.

  • There is no upper limit, even unto giving away our very being—our genetic constitution.

    Blog text (15)

  • Scientists study the genetic constitution of plants to understand how they adapt to their environments.

  • The genetic constitution of an organism influences its susceptibility to diseases and its physical traits.

  • Researchers are mapping the genetic constitution of various species to explore evolutionary relationships.

Synonyms

genome
vsgenetic constitution
  • Specialized
129 5.8

All the genetic information in a cell or organism

refers specifically to the gene and allele makeup that shapes inheritance
genotype
vsgenetic constitution
  • Specialized
9 7.1

The set of genes a person, animal, or plant has

focuses on that makeup as what determines inherited traits
genetic endowment
vsgenetic constitution
  • Specialized
7.4

The set of genes a living thing inherits from its parents

names the concrete set of genes or alleles that cause those traits

Surface Forms

genetic constitution singular
genetic constitutions plural

Morphology

genetic + constitution

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'genetic' (relating to genes) with 'constitution' (the composition or makeup) — it literally denotes an organism's genetic makeup. This adjective+noun composition is compositional, cross-linguistically common (e.g., Spanish 'constitución genética'), and not idiomatic, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning despite some technicality.

Etymology

Genetic constitution shows a simple picture: genetic means the genes inside a living thing and constitution means its basic 'make-up' or recipe. That's why it means the full set of genes that 'determine' a living thing's 'inherited traits'.