Genes are segments of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that carry the instructions your body uses to build and operate itself. They are the fundamental units of heredity, passed from parents to offspring.
What Genes Do:
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Code for Proteins:
Most genes contain the instructions to make proteins. Proteins are the molecules that do most of the work in your body—such as building tissues, speeding up chemical reactions (enzymes), and regulating bodily functions. -
Control Development and Function:
Genes influence everything from eye color and height to how your organs develop and function. They help cells know when to divide, what type they should become, and how to respond to their environment. -
Regulate Other Genes:
Some genes don’t make proteins themselves but regulate the activity of other genes, turning them on or off as needed.
How It Works:
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DNA is made up of four chemical bases: A, T, C, and G.
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The sequence of these bases forms a code.
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A gene is a specific sequence that tells the cell how to make a particular protein.
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This code is "read" and converted into RNA, which is then translated into a protein in a process called gene expression.
Summary:
Genes are like instruction manuals inside your cells. They determine what proteins to make, which in turn control the structure and function of your body.
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