Relatively stable. Generally speaking, the molecular structure of genes is very stable and difficult to change. The stability of the gene comes from the accurate self-replication of the gene, which is distributed to daughter cells through cell division or passed on to offspring through sex cells, thus ensuring the stability of the gene.
Mutation and variation. Due to the influence of mutagenic factors inside and outside the cell, the gene will mutate. The result of mutation is the generation of alleles and multiple alleles. Gene mutation will cause most offspring to get sick, and gene variation is generally normal variation. Because of the variability of genes, we can recognize the existence of genes, increase the diversity of organisms and provide more choices.
Determines the development of characteristics. The specific gene carried by the gene is transcribed into messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), translated into polypeptide chains on ribosomes, and the polypeptide chains are folded into specific protein. Some are protein structures, and more are enzymes. Genes control every biochemical process of organisms by controlling the synthesis of enzymes, thus controlling the development of traits.
In daily life, we often confuse words such as chromosome, DNA and gene. In fact, as long as the truth is clear, it is easy to distinguish. We all know that people are made up of cells, and there is a nucleus in the cell. Chromosomes in the nucleus are substances that carry genetic information and usually appear in pairs. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in human cells, of which 22 pairs are autosomes and 1 pairs are sex chromosomes, namely X chromosome and Y chromosome.
Chromosomes are mainly composed of DNA and protein. The genetic material of chromosome is DNA, which has a double helix structure. There are many kinds of DNA in human body, and not all information can be expressed. In fact, there are very few fragments that can be effectively expressed. We call an expressible fragment, or an effective fragment, a gene.
The in-depth study of genes will help human beings to know themselves more comprehensively, and also open up new ways for the progress of human medical technology. Scientists have found that genes affect physiological functions and determine human destiny by synthesizing protein, and diseases may be caused by the change of a base pair on DNA. Generally speaking, some diseases are caused by gene defects or mutations.
With the development of technology and in-depth study of genes, doctors can find defective genes and repair them, thus achieving the purpose of preventing and treating diseases.