genes

Definition

Genes are segments of DNA that contain the instructions for the synthesis of proteins. They play a crucial role in determining the traits and characteristics of an organism by directing the process of transcription and translation.

Analogy

Think of genes as individual recipes in a vast cookbook that is your DNA. Just as a recipe provides step-by-step instructions to make a specific dish, each gene provides the instructions to create a particular protein that performs a specific function in your body.

Related terms

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The molecule that contains the genetic code of organisms, acting as the blueprint for all cellular structures and functions.

Transcription: The process by which the information stored in a gene's DNA is transferred to messenger RNA (mRNA), initiating protein synthesis.

Protein Synthesis: The cellular process that translates genetic information into proteins, involving both transcription (in the nucleus) and translation (at the ribosome)