Asked by Sam
what is the relationship between genes chromosomes and DNA
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Short answer:
DNA is the chemical molecule that stores genetic information. A gene is a specific stretch of DNA that contains the instructions for making an RNA or protein. A chromosome is one long DNA molecule (plus associated proteins) that carries many genes.
More detail:
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a long polymer made of nucleotide bases (A, T, C, G). It encodes instructions for building and operating cells.
- A gene is a defined sequence of DNA bases that codes for a functional product (usually an RNA or a protein) and includes regulatory regions that control when and how much product is made.
- A chromosome is a packaged, organized structure of DNA and proteins (chromatin) found in the cell nucleus of eukaryotes. Each chromosome contains a single continuous DNA molecule that can harbor hundreds to thousands of genes.
- In humans there are 46 chromosomes (23 pairs); the full set of chromosomes = the genome. Not all DNA is genes — there are regulatory sequences, noncoding regions, and repetitive DNA.
- Variations in a gene (alleles) occur at specific locations (loci) on chromosomes. During cell division chromosomes replicate so DNA is copied and passed to daughter cells.
- Note: In prokaryotes (bacteria) the chromosome is often a single circular DNA molecule; they may also carry small circular DNA called plasmids. Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own small genomes too.
Analogy: DNA is like a long book of letters, a gene is a chapter with instructions, and a chromosome is one volume on a bookshelf that holds many chapters.
DNA is the chemical molecule that stores genetic information. A gene is a specific stretch of DNA that contains the instructions for making an RNA or protein. A chromosome is one long DNA molecule (plus associated proteins) that carries many genes.
More detail:
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a long polymer made of nucleotide bases (A, T, C, G). It encodes instructions for building and operating cells.
- A gene is a defined sequence of DNA bases that codes for a functional product (usually an RNA or a protein) and includes regulatory regions that control when and how much product is made.
- A chromosome is a packaged, organized structure of DNA and proteins (chromatin) found in the cell nucleus of eukaryotes. Each chromosome contains a single continuous DNA molecule that can harbor hundreds to thousands of genes.
- In humans there are 46 chromosomes (23 pairs); the full set of chromosomes = the genome. Not all DNA is genes — there are regulatory sequences, noncoding regions, and repetitive DNA.
- Variations in a gene (alleles) occur at specific locations (loci) on chromosomes. During cell division chromosomes replicate so DNA is copied and passed to daughter cells.
- Note: In prokaryotes (bacteria) the chromosome is often a single circular DNA molecule; they may also carry small circular DNA called plasmids. Mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own small genomes too.
Analogy: DNA is like a long book of letters, a gene is a chapter with instructions, and a chromosome is one volume on a bookshelf that holds many chapters.
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