Genes

Nov 14, 2022, 16:45 IST

Genes are the functional units of the heredity because they are made of DNA. A chromosome is made up of DNA containing many genes. Each gene consists of a specific set of instructions for a particular function or coding for a protein. Generally speaking, genes are responsible for heredity.

There are about 30,000 genes in the cell of the human body. The DNA present in a gene makes up only 2 percent of the genome. Many studies have been done on the same, finding the location of nearly 13,000 genes on each of the chromosomes. William Bateson coined the term geneticist in 1905. Later, Wilhelm Johannes was the first to coin the term GENE in 1909. He was a Danish botanist. He named it Gen to symbolize heredity.

Characteristics determined by Genes

A human cell contains 23 pairs of a chromosome. This trait is one of the characteristics determined by the one or more genes. A abnormal genes and genes that form due to the new mutations also result in the certain traits. Genes vary in size, usually depending on the code or protein they produce. All cells in the human body contain the same DNA. The difference between the cells is due to the different types of genes that are switched on and produce other proteins.

Reasons for hereditary

A genes come in pairs in the same way as chromosomes. Each parent of a human being carries the two copies of their genes, and also each parent passes one copy of genes to their child. This is why the child has many characteristics of both parents, like hair colour, eyes, etc.

Functions of Genes

• Genes control the functions of both the DNA and RNA.
• Proteins are the most important substances in the human body, which help by being the building blocks for connecting tissues, muscles, and skin and taking care of enzyme production.
• These enzymes play an important role in carrying out various chemical processes and reactions in the body. Therefore the protein synthesis is responsible for all activities carried out by the body and is primarily controlled by genes.
• Genes consist of a specific set of instructions or particular functions. For example, the globin gene was instructed to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that helps carry oxygen in the blood.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are genes short definitions?

Ans. The basic unit of heredity passed from parent to child. Genes are generally made up of DNA sequences and are arranged, one after the other, at the specific locations on chromosomes in the nucleus of cells.

Q2. Are genes made of DNA?

Ans. Genes are the segments of a DNA that generally contain instructions for building the molecules that make the bodywork. Most of the molecules are proteins. Parents usually pass their genes to their offspring.

Q3. Who has stronger genes, mother or father?

Ans. Genetically, you carry more of your mother's genes than your father's. This is because of the little organelles that live within your cells, mitochondria, which you only receive from your mother.

Q4. Do all humans have same genes?

Ans. All the human beings are 99.9% identical in their genetic makeup. Differences in the remaining 0.1% hold important clues about the causes of diseases.

Q5. How many genes are in a human?

Ans. The major goals of the Human Genome Project (HGP), which lasted from 1990 until 2003, were to determine both the DNA sequence and "the location of the estimated 100,000 human genes."