Genes Definition and 112 Threads

In biology, a gene (from genos (Greek) meaning generation or birth or gender) is a basic unit of heredity and a sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that encodes the synthesis of a gene product, either RNA or protein.During gene expression, the DNA is first copied into RNA. The RNA can be directly functional or be the intermediate template for a protein that performs a function. The transmission of genes to an organism's offspring is the basis of the inheritance of phenotypic traits. These genes make up different DNA sequences called genotypes. Genotypes along with environmental and developmental factors determine what the phenotypes will be. Most biological traits are under the influence of polygenes (many different genes) as well as gene–environment interactions. Some genetic traits are instantly visible, such as eye color or the number of limbs, and some are not, such as blood type, the risk for specific diseases, or the thousands of basic biochemical processes that constitute life.
Genes can acquire mutations in their sequence, leading to different variants, known as alleles, in the population. These alleles encode slightly different versions of a protein, which cause different phenotypical traits. Usage of the term "having a gene" (e.g., "good genes," "hair color gene") typically refers to containing a different allele of the same, shared gene. Genes evolve due to natural selection / survival of the fittest and genetic drift of the alleles.
The concept of gene continues to be refined as new phenomena are discovered. For example, regulatory regions of a gene can be far removed from its coding regions, and coding regions can be split into several exons. Some viruses store their genome in RNA instead of DNA and some gene products are functional non-coding RNAs. Therefore, a broad, modern working definition of a gene is any discrete locus of heritable, genomic sequence which affect an organism's traits by being expressed as a functional product or by regulation of gene expression.The term gene was introduced by Danish botanist, plant physiologist and geneticist Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909. It is inspired by the ancient Greek: γόνος, gonos, that means offspring and procreation.

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  1. R

    What is the relationship between chromosomes, genes, and DNA?

    Way back in the dark ages when I went to high school, we where taught that humans had 32(?) chromosomes and that each chromosome contained individual genes which was what actually passed on characteristics and traits like eye color etc. So now there is DNA and the humane genome is billions of...
  2. Loren Booda

    Are better-adapted genes less easily mutated?

    Once a trait is established to its environment, might that indicate, by definition or process, that it is more likely resistant to further changes in that environment?
  3. Monique

    Genes, phenotypes and populations

    There seems to be a lot of confusion about the influence of genes on phenotypes. I happen to have worked in the field, so I will just give my view on the matter. Geneticists are studying populations and try to find genes that cause the population to be at risk for certain phenotypes. Examples...
  4. pelastration

    Are Genes Responsible for Infidelity?

    Genes may to blame for infidelity (quote) Some people may be genetically programmed to be unfaithful to their partner, a scientist has claimed. Professor Tim Spector, of the Twin Research Unit at St Thomas's Hospital, London, says he has evidence of a genetic component to infidelity...
  5. P

    Understanding Gender Genes and Their Influence on Sexual Orientation

    I used to read a thread created quite long ago about human gender genes and I tried to do a search for it again but found nothing... I have a question as to why some people turn out to be biosexual, gays or lesbians...Is that a problem due to surrounding environment or a problem caused by sort...
  6. K

    God vs Genes: Views from Physicists

    hay all, what are your views on 'god vs genes'? its just the more we follow science the more we move away from god. the reason I am asking is because i want to know if there are still physicists out there who still believe in god. i think that there never was a god in...
  7. C

    UCLA Team Maps How Genes Affect Brain Structure, Intelligence

    PRESS RELEASE UCLA Team Maps How Genes Affect Brain Structure, Intelligence UCLA brain mapping researchers have created the first images to show how an individual's genes influence their brain structure and intelligence. Complete text at...
  8. wasteofo2

    Shrinking Genes - MDA Research for DMD Treatment

    this is an exerpt from this article: http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q92resup.cfm#mdasgenetherapy "Meanwhile, MDA is also laying the groundwork for a clinical trial of AAV-based gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD results from any of a number of mutations in a...
  9. S

    Pair-rule genes in Drosophila development

    Hey guys, So I have an exam tomorrow afternoon on developmental bio (ugh ), and i have been going over my notes and have run into something I'm struggling to understand. The topic is Drosophila development, and the brick wall I have run into involves the way in which pair-rule genes work...
  10. A

    Should Corporations Be Allowed to Patent Human Genes?

    Gene patenting is set to become one of the major issues of the new century with corporations rushing to cash in on the pioneering research of the Human Genome Project. It is now possible to isolate our genes and identify them. Ultimately, this new knowledge is expected to lead to tangible...
  11. Ivan Seeking

    Dogs and Cats: Deceit in the Genes?

    My wife and I are animal lovers. We don't watch the pet psychic and we don't have funerals for our pets. I do enjoy analyzing out pets' [cats and dogs] behaviors and something really interesting occurred to me. My pets tell willful lies! Both cats and dogs clearly understand that they are not...
  12. E

    If identical twins have the same genes

    I just want to ask a few questions on genes n hear some of your views... 1)if identical twins have the same genes then how come identitcal twins still exhibit phenotype differences?( like one have a mole and the othe not having one)is it because of alles? 2)Why is it that species cannot mate...
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