The Nature of Genes

Genes are segments of DNA that carry the instructions for building and maintaining our bodies. They determine many traits, like eye color or height, by directing cells on how to produce specific proteins. Genes are inherited from our parents, which explains shared characteristics within families. They function through a complex process of transcription and translation, converting genetic information into the proteins that make up our tissues and organs. While small in size, genes have a profound impact on our biology, influencing our development, health, and inherited features.