A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Genes are made up of DNA. Some genes act as instructions to make molecules called proteins. However, many genes do not code for proteins. In humans, genes vary in size from a few hundred DNA bases to more than 2 million bases. An international research effort called the Human Genome Project, which worked to determine the sequence of the human genome and identify the genes that it contains, estimated that humans have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes.
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Every person has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. Most genes are the same in all people, but a small number of genes (less than 1 percent of the total) are slightly different between people. Alleles are forms of the same gene with small differences in their sequence of DNA bases. These small differences contribute to each person’s unique physical features.
Scientists keep track of genes by giving them unique names. Because gene names can be long, genes are also assigned symbols, which are short combinations of letters (and sometimes numbers) that represent an abbreviated version of the gene name. For example, a gene on chromosome 7 that has been associated with cystic fibrosis is called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator; its symbol is CFTR.
Genes are made up of DNA. Each chromosome contains many genes.
Credit: U.S. National Library of Medicine
For more information about genes:
danangmoment.com Genetics provides consumer-friendly gene summaries that include an explanation of each gene"s normal function and how variants in the gene cause particular genetic conditions.
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More information about how genetic conditions and genes are named is also available from danangmoment.com Genetics.
The Centre for Genetics Education offers a fact sheet that introduces genes and chromosomes.
The Tech Museum of Innovation at Stanford University describes genes and how they were discovered.
The Virtual Genetics Education Centre, created by the University of Leicester, offers additional information on DNA, genes, and chromosomes.
Genetics Home Reference has merged with danangmoment.com. Genetics Home Reference content now can be found in the "Genetics" section of danangmoment.com. Learn more
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
U.S. National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health
