From gene to trait
If you look at those around you, you will surely notice that they all look different. They all have different characteristics. These traits come from genes. The genes are the carriers of human DNA, i. H. genetic information. If you want to know more about the subject of characteristics, then read on.
What is a gene and what is a trait?
To understand this topic, you first need to know what a gene is and what a trait is.
- The human genetic information is stored in the cells. It is carried by DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Another nucleic acid, RNA (ribonucleic acid), is involved in the realization of genetic information in various forms.
- A gene is in the biology a section on the DNA. According to today's view, a gene is actually the section of DNA that codes for an RNA molecule.
- A gene in and of itself is not visible at first glance, but the characteristic created by the gene is often visible.
- A trait is a quality that a person has. In biology, these are often characteristics such as hair color, size and eye color. Basically, biology considers visible, evolutionary characteristics to describe a person.
From genetic information to protein - the route simply explained
All the characteristics of an organism are stored in its genetic information. Each ...
How does a trait arise from genes?
- All living things reproduce in order to father children. The purpose of this is to keep a species from going extinct and to pass on your genes. This is exactly the subject of the characteristic expression.
- The genes of a living being determine which characteristics this living being expresses and which are not realized. The genes of the newborn are a mixture of the genes of the father and the mother, which in turn carry the genes of their parents with them. This leads to a colorful transmission of genes and thus also of characteristics.
- From a biological point of view, characteristics arise from a chain of different processes within a cell. The most important process is protein synthesis.
- The genes, i.e. certain DNA segments, consist of a chain of chemical building blocks, each equipped with one of four bases (adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine). These bases have a certain order on the DNA. Depending on the sequence of the bases, a certain RNA is also formed, which in turn is involved in the realization of a certain feature (for example blue eyes).
- So imagine a gene that reflects the genetic information "blue eyes" in its base sequence. By means of biochemical processes, a suitable RNA is developed for the base sequence for "blue eyes", which forms a base sequence complementary to the DNA. This is a step in protein biosynthesis, which ultimately results in certain proteins that work diligently in the cell and cause certain characteristics.
- In the next step of this protein synthesis, an amino acid chain is created from the RNA. Of the RNA base chain, three base triplets each code for an amino acid (genetic code).
- The resulting amino acid chain is therefore dependent on the DNA segment and forms the primary structure of a protein. It is further modified until a complete and functional protein, enzyme or hormone is produced. The trait "blue eyes" can now be trained.
- The "blue eyes" only arose because the genes specified a certain sequence. If this order were a little different, the eyes would have turned green, for example. the DNA segment would have coded for a completely different trait.
- A trait is created through complex biochemical processes, guided by the genetic information on your genes that you received from your ancestors.
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