Genes are essential in determining the personality and nature of a human being. They lay the foundation for the building blocks of all living beings. On this basis, it can be said that the role of genes is very important. They determine and explain the way a person will behave in different situations. In the following paragraphs, different aspects of genes have been discussed and presented. Through this discussion, one can gain a better and more detailed understanding of genes, their functions, and their importance in a living being.
What are genes?
- A gene is defined as the basic physical and functional unit of heredity.
- DNA is a key part of the gene. Some genes can provide a set of instructions that make up the molecules, also known as proteins.
- However, it should be noted that many genes do not code for proteins.
- Genes, in human beings, can vary in size, ranging from a few hundred DNA bases to upwards of two million bases.
- An international research effort, also known as the ‘Human Genome Project’, determined that humans contain anywhere between 20,000 to 25,000 genes.
- Every individual or human being has two sets or copies of each gene, as every set of genes is inherited from each parent. It should be noted that although in less than 1% of the people there are differences in the genes, in the vast majority of the people, genes are the same.
Importance of genes
- Genes are important from several viewpoints and aspects.
- Family members tend to share genes, habits, lifestyles, and surroundings. Genes are located on chromosomes found in the nucleus of every cell in the body.
- Each of the genes tends to have a very specific position on the chromosomes. This is because the genes essentially provide the instructions for making proteins which then determines the structure and function of each cell in the body.
- Therefore, it can be said that genes are responsible for all the characteristics and traits a person inherits.
- Genes determine the nature of an individual and the way they will react in different situations and other such aspects.
- The role of genes is very important in the human body. It can be said that they play a crucial role in laying down the foundation for the nature of the human being and their nature, traits, and personality.
Functions of genes?
There are various functions of genes, as they are the ones that decide almost everything that a living being does. One or more genes can influence specific traits of individuals. It interacts with a person’s environment. Therefore, it can be said that genes can influence various internal and external aspects of a person, such as the colour of their eyes, and the diseases that they may contract at later stages of their lives. Some functions of genes are listed in the following points:
- They control the functions of DNA and RNA.
- Genes help in the formation of proteins, which are very important building blocks of life.
- They also take care of the production of enzymes.
- These enzymes play a crucial role in conducting different chemical processes and reactions in the body.
- Genes consist of a particular set of functions and instructions.
What can regulate gene expressions in eukaryotes?
- It is said that the human genome encodes more than 20,000 genes, while each of the 23 pairs of human chromosomes tends to encode more than thousands of genes.
- In this regard, a precise wound in the DNA in the nucleus is made, along with its being folded and compacted into different chromosomes.
- These chromosomes, in turn, fit into the nucleus. The genes are organised in such a way that specific segments can be accessed as required by the various specific cell types.
- Assuming DNA encoding a particular quality is to be interpreted into RNA, the nucleosomes encompassing that district of DNA can slide down the DNA to open that particular chromosomal area and consider the transcriptional apparatus (RNA polymerase) to start recording.
- Nucleosomes can move to open the chromosome construction to uncover a fragment of DNA, however, do as such in an exceptionally controlled way.
Conclusion
In the above paragraphs, different aspects of genes have been discussed and presented. Through this discussion, one can gain a better and more detailed understanding of genes, their functions, and their importance in a living being. Every individual or human being has two sets or copies of each gene, as every set of genes is inherited from each parent. It should be noted that although in less than 1% of the people there are differences in the genes, in the vast majority of the people, genes are the same.