Gene A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Gene is a small section of DNA. It functions to store information. Each gene contains information needed to build molecules called proteins. In humans, genes vary in size from a few hundred DNA bases to more than 2 million bases. The Human Genome Projecthas estimated that humans have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes. One variant of the gene is called allele. In many cases, all people would have the gene, but certain people will have a specific allele of that gene, which results in the trait. This could be a simple trait like hair or eye color. There are, however, variations in the genetic code that makes each individual unique. Most variations are harmless. However, variations to the genetic information can sometimes mean that some proteins are not produced properly, produced in the wrong amounts or not produced at all. Variations that make the gene faulty are called mutations. SNPs or single nucleotide polymorphisms are changes in a single base or single letter in the sequence and may code of a different protein altogether making it akin to a genetic mutation. Mutations of genes that are important for functions in the body can lead to a genetic condition that may affect growth or health of the individual. Some mutations do not directly cause disease but may make a person more susceptible to developing a genetic condition. Adapted from: https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-are-Genes.aspx Variation in genetic codes means …

Gene

            A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Gene is a small section of DNA. It functions to store information. Each gene contains information needed to build molecules called proteins. In humans, genes vary in size from a few hundred DNA bases to more than 2 million bases. The Human Genome Project has estimated that humans have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes.

            One variant of the gene is called allele. In many cases, all people would have the gene, but certain people will have a specific allele of that gene, which results in the trait. This could be a simple trait like hair or eye color.

            There are, however, variations in the genetic code that makes each individual unique. Most variations are harmless.  However, variations to the genetic information can sometimes mean that some proteins are not produced properly, produced in the wrong amounts or not produced at all.

            Variations that make the gene faulty are called mutations. SNPs or single nucleotide polymorphisms are changes in a single base or single letter in the sequence and may code of a different protein altogether making it akin to a genetic mutation.

            Mutations of genes that are important for functions in the body can lead to a genetic condition that may affect growth or health of the individual. Some mutations do not directly cause disease but may make a person more susceptible to developing a genetic condition.

Adapted from: https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-are-Genes.aspx

Variation in genetic codes means …