What is a gene?

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DNA, genes and genetics are terms that not only appear in biology classes but are also used in the press, often in connection with genetic engineering. But what is actually a gene biologically?

Genes lie on the DNA double helix.
Genes lie on the DNA double helix.

The DNA carries the genetic information

  • The DNA, also called DNS in German, is the carrier of the genetic information. The abbreviation DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid or acid. The DNA is a chain-shaped molecule that is "wound up" as a double helix with two opposing strands to save space.
  • The DNA occurs in the cell nucleus as well as in the mitochondria; in bacteria it is in the cytoplasm. Incidentally, many viruses also have DNA.

The gene can be found on the DNA

  • The term "gene" was originally used to explain the expression of a characteristic, for example the color of a flower. With the advancement of molecular biology, however, this term has become more and more concrete now refers to a section on the DNA that is involved in transcription and translation into proteins is translated.
  • Put simply, genes are sections of DNA that are passed on from generation to generation and code for certain characteristics. Genes are therefore complete functional units on DNA.
  • The totality of all genes is called the genome and defines the framework within which all life processes take place. As far as we know today, this blueprint comprises around 40,000 genes in humans.
    • DNA - meaning

    Try pronouncing the term deoxyribonucleic acid. Not so …

  • In addition to the cell nucleus, which contains the entire genetic information, the mitochondria also contain as The cell power plants a small number (only 37) of genes that are only inherited through the maternal line will.
  • The genes vary in size and structure. For example, the insulin gene has only 1,000 base pairs, while other genes have millions of base pairs. By the way, most genes are fragmented and consist of several sections.

By the way: DNA not only contains genes, but on the contrary consists predominantly of DNA sequences (70 percent) that have not yet been assigned a function. It can be assumed, however, that signal elements are still bent in this "DNA scrap".

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