Pronunciation: [pˈand͡ʒiːn] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "pangene" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "pan", is pronounced as /pæn/ which represents the sound of "a" as in "cat" and "n" as in "no." The second syllable, "gene," is pronounced as /dʒiːn/ which represents the sound of "j" as in "jeans", "i" as in "ski" and "n" as in "no." Overall, "pangene" is pronounced as /pænˈdʒiːn/.
Pangene, also known as "pan-genome theory," is a concept in genetics that suggests the existence of small, discrete units of heredity known as "pangenes." These pangenes were postulated by the French biologist and philosopher Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in the early 19th century as the fundamental units responsible for the inheritance of acquired traits.
Within the framework of the pan-genome theory, pangenes are considered the basic entities that carry and transmit heritable characteristics from one generation to another. Lamarck proposed that pangenes could be influenced by the use or disuse of specific traits during an organism's lifetime, and any acquired changes could then be passed on to future generations.
However, it is important to note that the concept of pangenes and Lamarck's theory of inheritance has largely been superseded by the modern understanding of genetics. The advent of Mendelian genetics and subsequent discoveries in molecular biology, particularly the elucidation of DNA's role in heredity, have provided more comprehensive explanations for the transmission of traits.
In the present-day context, pangenes are not recognized as discrete entities responsible for inheritance. The concept of the pangene is considered outdated, and the broader understanding of genetics is now centered around the role of genes and DNA in transmitting heritable traits.
The word "pangene" was coined by the Dutch biologist Hugo de Vries in the late 19th century. It is derived from the Greek words "pan" meaning "all" or "every", and "gene" meaning "origin" or "producing". De Vries proposed the concept of pangenes as hypothetical hereditary particles that he believed were responsible for the transmission of specific traits from parents to offspring. However, his theory was later proven inaccurate and was replaced by the more precise understanding of genetics that we have today.
