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The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to genetics: . Genetics – science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms. [1] [2] Genetics deals with the molecular structure and function of genes, and gene behavior in context of a cell or organism (e.g. dominance and epigenetics), patterns of inheritance from parent to offspring, and gene distribution ...
This is an accepted version of this page This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 27 February 2025. Science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms This article is about the general scientific term. For the scientific journal, see Genetics (journal). For a more accessible and less technical introduction to this topic, see Introduction to genetics. For the Meghan Trainor ...
Gene structure is the organisation of specialised sequence elements within a gene. Genes contain most of the information necessary for living cells to survive and reproduce. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] In most organisms, genes are made of DNA, where the particular DNA sequence determines the function of the gene.
A gene can acquire mutations in its sequence, leading to different variants, known as alleles, in the population. These alleles encode slightly different versions of a gene, which may cause different phenotypical traits. [4] Genes evolve due to natural selection or survival of the fittest and genetic drift of the alleles.
Genes tell cells what to do by telling them which proteins to make and in what amounts. Genes are expressed by being transcribed into RNA, and this RNA then translated into protein. Proteins are made of a chain of 20 different types of amino acid molecules. This chain folds up into a compact shape, rather like an untidy ball of string.
Recombination allows chromosomes to exchange genetic information and produces new combinations of genes, which increases the efficiency of natural selection and can be important in the rapid evolution of new proteins. [140] Genetic recombination can also be involved in DNA repair, particularly in the cell's response to double-strand breaks. [141]
The B and C genes establish the identity of the stamens and the carpels only require C genes to be active. Type A and C genes are reciprocally antagonistic. [10] The fact that these homeotic genes determine an organ's identity becomes evident when a gene that represents a particular function, for example the A gene, is not expressed.
An inducible gene is a gene whose expression is either responsive to environmental change or dependent on the position in the cell cycle. Any step of gene expression may be modulated, from the DNA-RNA transcription step to post-translational modification of a protein. The stability of the final gene product, whether it is RNA or protein, also ...