Gene

A gene is a sequence o DNA or RNA that codes for a molecule that has a function. In gene expression, the DNA is first copied intae RNA. The RNA can be directly functional or be the intermediate template for a protein that performs a function. The transmission o genes tae an organism's affspring is the basis o the inheritance o phenotypic traits. Thir genes mak up different DNA sequences cried genoteeps. Genoteeps alang wi environmental an developmental factors determine whit the phenoteeps will be. Maist biological traits are unner the influence o polygenes (mony different genes) as well as gene–environment interactions. Some genetic traits are instantly veesible, sic as ee colour or nummer o limbs, an some are nae, sic as bluid teep, risk for speceefic diseases, or the thoosands o basic biochemical processes that constitute life.

Genes can acquire mutations in thair sequence, leadin tae different variants, kent as alleles, in the population. Thir alleles encode slichtly different versions o a protein, that cause different phenoteepical traits. Uissage o the term "haein a gene" (e.g., "guid genes," "hair colour gene") teepically refers tae conteening a different allele o the same, shared gene. Genes evolve due tae naitural selection or survival o the fittest o the alleles.

The concept o a gene conteenas tae be refined as new phenomena are diskivert. For ensaumple, regulatory regions o a gene can be faur remuived frae its codin regions, an codin regions can be split intae several exons. Some viruses store thair genome in RNA instead o DNA an some gene products are functional non-codin RNAs. Tharefore, a braid, modren wirkin defineetion o a gene is ony discrete locus o heritable, genomic sequence that affect an organism's traits bi bein expressed as a functional product or bi regulation o gene expression.

The term gene wis introduced bi Dens botanist, plant pheesiologist an geneticist Wilhelm Johannsen in 1905. It is inspired bi the auncient Greek: γόνος, gonos, that means affspring an procreation.