What is Gene: Definition and 137 Discussions

In biology, a gene (from genos (Greek) meaning generation or birth or gender) is a basic unit of heredity and a sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that encodes the synthesis of a gene product, either RNA or protein.During gene expression, the DNA is first copied into RNA. The RNA can be directly functional or be the intermediate template for a protein that performs a function. The transmission of genes to an organism's offspring is the basis of the inheritance of phenotypic traits. These genes make up different DNA sequences called genotypes. Genotypes along with environmental and developmental factors determine what the phenotypes will be. Most biological traits are under the influence of polygenes (many different genes) as well as gene–environment interactions. Some genetic traits are instantly visible, such as eye color or the number of limbs, and some are not, such as blood type, the risk for specific diseases, or the thousands of basic biochemical processes that constitute life.
Genes can acquire mutations in their sequence, leading to different variants, known as alleles, in the population. These alleles encode slightly different versions of a protein, which cause different phenotypical traits. Usage of the term "having a gene" (e.g., "good genes," "hair color gene") typically refers to containing a different allele of the same, shared gene. Genes evolve due to natural selection / survival of the fittest and genetic drift of the alleles.
The concept of gene continues to be refined as new phenomena are discovered. For example, regulatory regions of a gene can be far removed from its coding regions, and coding regions can be split into several exons. Some viruses store their genome in RNA instead of DNA and some gene products are functional non-coding RNAs. Therefore, a broad, modern working definition of a gene is any discrete locus of heritable, genomic sequence which affect an organism's traits by being expressed as a functional product or by regulation of gene expression.The term gene was introduced by Danish botanist, plant physiologist and geneticist Wilhelm Johannsen in 1909. It is inspired by the ancient Greek: γόνος, gonos, that means offspring and procreation.

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  1. P

    Best vectors for gene mapping (FISH)?

    If you were to have clones of genes you wished to use for FISH in the form of a plasmid, cosmid, BAC and YAC, which would be best for gene mapping? I'm unsure as to what the distinction would be between these types particularly for use in FISH. Which is most commonly used and why? Thanks
  2. Silicon Waffle

    Gene expression for bigger limbs

    Take for example a fetus of 2 weeks old and a baby of 2 years old. The fetus doesn't show any limbs, skull. How do I know that is a human fetus ? :nb)
  3. Pythagorean

    "Mind-controlled" gene expression

    Mind-controlled transgene expression by a wireless-powered optogenetic designer cell implant. Kind of a sensationalized title, since it's really just interpreting brain waves through a BCI, but neat anyway. http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/141111/ncomms6392/full/ncomms6392.html
  4. Ygggdrasil

    Gene Drives: How to Genetically Modify an Ecosystem

    Genes normally have a 50-50 chance of being passed from parent to offspring, but scientists may have figured out a way to create gene drives that show up in offspring with a much higher frequency...
  5. P

    Germ Line Gene Therapy: Ethics and Regulations?

    Gene therapy consists of modifying the DNA sequence to replace the gene coding for the disease with a healthy gene. Germ line gene therapy does this by targeting the germ cells; this means that once the egg is fertilised, every cell which descends from the egg contains the modified gene, and...
  6. Patzee

    Microbes and Gene Swapping - How Common Is This?

    Microbes and Gene Swapping -- How Common Is This? The article Sub-zero heroes: extremophiles call salty Antarctic lakes home reporting about: "The halophilic (Greek for “salt-loving”) extremophiles in Deep Lake belong to a group of microbes called haloarchaea. Due to much higher rates of...
  7. H

    Can We Swap Our Genes to Change Our Identity?

    Hi: If it is true that all our cells are replaced in a few year, is it possible for us to swamp our genes with someone else and let our body be populated with someone Else's genes? that way we can completely change our body, appearance, intelligence, essentially getting rid of all the...
  8. M

    Doubt Concerning The Selfish Gene

    Doubt Concerning "The Selfish Gene" In the first chapter of "The Selfish Gene", when talking about replicating molecules, Richard Dawkins writes: "Can we reconcile the idea that copying errors are an essential prerequisite for evolution to occur, with the statement that natural selection...
  9. M

    Biochemical structure of dominant vs recessive gene

    Most all familiar with the terms dominant and recessive trait in a general way. I have seen little on the biochemical difference. Assume 1. Gene codes for characteristic 2. Variance in characteristic due to sequence within gene How does the structure of an allele differ from an...
  10. H

    Possible error found in Keith Devlin's book The Math Gene Help?

    Possible error found in Keith Devlin's book "The Math Gene" Help? Homework Statement In the section "What is mathematics?" of Keith Devlin's book The Math Gene, he explains to the layman the purpose of abstractions. Devlin uses an example from group theory of symmetry to explain a point...
  11. Astronuc

    Intro Physics Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Paul Tipler and Gene Mosca

    Author: Paul A. Tipler, Gene Mosca Title: Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Standard Version [Hardcover] Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0716783398/?tag=pfamazon01-20 Prerequisites: Calculus Level: Undergraduate Table of Contents Mechanics, Fluids, Oscillations/Waves...
  12. S

    Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) and VIGS in plants

    Hello! I'm looking for a book, a website or a person that could clearly explain the basics and the differences between post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in plants. All the articles I've found this far have been very confusing (or maybe it's...
  13. T

    Definition of gene needs reveiwing ?

    According to this news article , genome analysis has shown that the understanding of what constitutes a gene has to reveiwed and redefined in light of new evidence. Btw there is no junk DNA in our genome. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-encode-massive-genome-analysis-gene.html
  14. S

    Gene Patenting - Pro's vs. Con's

    Hi, There is a lot of controversy over gene patenting. What are your thoughts on the subject?
  15. T

    Recessive gene and dominant gene

    Like the title, 1)Are recessive gene genetic variations of a dominant gene(or normal gene). 2)What is the origin of a recessive gene? 3)Are recessive genes bought on by genetic mutations ? I know the questions are trivial, but I am not able to clear these concepts.
  16. T

    Is Being Gay Genetic? Unbiased Answers & Studies | PhysicsForums

    Some background information: I had a really close friend of mine ask me if gays were born that way or if it's a choice. From the knowledge that I learned from the teachers at my school, I answered him saying that gays are just born that way, and they do not find out until they're teenagers...
  17. J

    Biology Gene Mutation Equations and Solution Explanation without Character Count

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution From what I can see in the data given there must be at LEAST 3 mutations I found 5: Initial: UCU UAU GGC Final: UAU (1 mutation) UUA (2 mutaions) UUG (2 mutations) or Final: UAU (1 mutation) CUU (2 mutaions) UUG...
  18. W

    Is War a Biological Impulse or a Cultural Innovation?

    I just read this article recently about John Horgan's new book, 'The End of War'. The premise of the book is 'that war is neither a biological impulse nor an economic imperative' and 'that war is a cultural innovation'. This is contrary to what most believe, that war has its roots in...
  19. Biosyn

    How is a specific gene removed from DNA

    I was reading an article on Pseudomonas syringae and how removing a gene called inaZ from it's DNA will allow it to be sprayed on crops to prevent the crops from freezing during the winter. How is the inaZ gene removed from the DNA? I'm thinking that they use restriction enzymes that cut out the...
  20. Pythagorean

    Comparing Transgene vs. Gene: Mechanisms & Effects

    Is transgene only a statement of the history of a gene (that it did not develop through selection in the organism) OR is a transgene mechanistically different (i.e, does the transgene embed itself into the genome of the host organism and from then on act as if it were any other gene in the DNA...
  21. rhody

    Medical Gene therapy and stem cells unite

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15272081" and and from the research paper linked in the article: Rhody...
  22. Q

    Rationale of gene location on chromosome

    Is there any rationale for the genes that are located on a particular chromosome, i.e. are the genes that are located on a particular chromosome related in some functional way? Another way to approach this is does it make a difference if a gene is located on chromosome 1 or 2 or 3…?
  23. G

    Researching Multi Gene Diseases & Gene Therapy

    Over the past 20 years, academia and industry has moved heavily towards research focused upon gene therapy. One of the problems with this research is that it only seems to study diseases that are based off of a single malfunctioning gene. Many of the biggest health problems like cardiovascular...
  24. S

    In-vivo Gene Silencing: Knocking Out Genes?

    Are there any methods to "knockout" genes in-vivo? For example, the HOXB7 gene (http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-12-hoxb7-gene-tamoxifen-resistance.html) in cancer patents.
  25. M

    Please explain this paragraph from The Selfish Gene

    Please explain this paragraph from "The Selfish Gene" edit: I just noticed that I misspelled 'Selfish' in the title. However I have no idea how to edit the title after posting so kindly ignore the mistake. I have been reading "The Selfish Gene" by Richard Dawkins and all the while he looks...
  26. S

    Exploring the Science of Sexuality: Is There a 'Gay Gene'?

    I searched this term on Google and I only got religious results. What are the current views held by the scientific community? I tend to think there is a gay gene, but I can't find any sources.
  27. B

    Non-Viral Gene Therapy: Effectiveness & Uses

    I was just wondering is non viral gene therapy effective enough; and in what cases/when would it be effective/non effective enough thanks
  28. B

    Can you achieve telomere maintenance without using gene therapy

    Can you achieve telomere maintenance without using gene therapy? if so, what are the ways? thanks
  29. D

    Understanding Gene Imprinting: Origins and Advantages

    Why are some genes imprinted and expressed only from the allele inherited from a certain sex ? What advantages is provides ? What is the current accepted view on the origins of this phenomena ?
  30. B

    Viral or non viral gene therapy, in brain

    Im not sure if anybody here can answer this, but, this is my question What negative health effects etc can occur from viral gene therapy being used on a human brain (to add one or more extra copies of a gene) what are the odds of those negative effects occurring in the person from viral...
  31. R

    How to find the mechanism on differential gene expression

    We have been doing research on the differential expression of one gene between two cell lines (A and B cell lines), with high expression in A cell line and no expression in B cell line. We found that ~250 bp in the promoter of the gene has its activity in A cell line, but no activity in B cell...
  32. N

    What do you think about this video from the selfish gene writer

    What do you think about this video from the "selfish gene writer" This is a video creater by the write of the book "the selfish gene" , http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9112899495889928903&ei=tQYuS5jCCJ6q2wKJsozZBQ&q=dawkins&hl=en#docid=4491999408234054262 Now I would like you...
  33. R

    Unraveling the Mystery of the Gay Gene: Exploring Sexual Orientation Genetics

    And if so, does that mean there is also a straight gene? What about a bisexual gene?
  34. S

    Gene expression-This problem is impossible

    I was interpreting a question, and it does not fit with my knowledge and common sense. This is the problem with mystery...:confused: Part of the sequence of a gene along the template strand for transcription was shown to be 5'-AGCTCA-3' Using that partial DNA sequence, determine the...
  35. J

    Gene therapy and infectious diseases

    Can gene therapy be used to cure the infectious diseases?
  36. I

    What came first the cell or the gene?

    Considering the thermodynamic law of entropy it would be considered impossible for a sub-infinite number of genetic combinations to code for a single cell, in light of the massive amounts of early UV radiation. Even considering genes of DNA and RNA allowed to replicate in a lab, the...
  37. D

    Medical Why cant gene therapy be used to treat cancer?

    As in there is often a mutation in the eg p53 signalling pathway could the gene not be fixed... Or any other ideas in relation to the original question..
  38. L

    Do genetics play a role in success in physics and math?

    I'm sure people are getting sick of me using this forum as a guidance session, but I must appeal to the minds of PF once more. Do you need a certain level of predisposition towards physics/math to be good enough to go far in the fields? How do you know if you have it? Are there just some people...
  39. Cincinnatus

    Genetics of feeding behavior in mice: finding the ob gene and the db gene

    There's lots of talk about finding "a gene for aggression" or "a gene for homosexuality" etc. I'm less interested in cases where the results are clearly ambiguous like in most (if not all) human studies. Rather I'd like to know what people think we even mean when we refer to a gene as being...
  40. B

    Gene Insertion: Transcription in Eukaryotic Cells

    If one gene is inserted into the sequence of a second gene, will both genes by transcribed in the eukaryotic cell?
  41. S

    Exploring the Benefits and Risks of CYP1A1 Gene

    Does anyone have any background about this gene, CYP? It's been around for years now, but I'm really confuse as to what this actually does. I've been doing some research and different websites tell me different thing, some that contradicts with each other. For example, Cytochrome P450 1A1 or...
  42. B

    Non-Viral Nanoparticle Gene therapy

    I was wondering if this is usable in humans right now http://www.telomolecular.com/nanocircles.asp or why it couldn't be I was also wondering...viral gene therapy has a lot of downsides so they're looking at non-viral nanoparticle gene therapy...they've been able to use nanoparticles via IV...
  43. B

    Par4 Gene Cancer: Clinical Trials & Cancer Resistance

    Are there any clinical trials or anything like that involving par4 gene and humans to make people more cancer-resistant, do you think it would work to make people cancer-resistant like it does in mice? if there was a cancer resistant person do you think their white blood cells would cure cancer...
  44. B

    Exploring Gene Expression: What Shapes Our Ability to Change?

    What makes us able to change the expression of some genes and unable to change the expression of other genes?
  45. B

    Copies of the SIR6 gene help reverse aging

    So would more copies of the SIR6 gene help reverse aging or anything like that if it's possible that deletion of the SIR6 gene speeds up aging a large amount? How dangerous would it be to have more copies of the SIR6 gene? If the mitochondrial theory of aging is correct, is there a way to...
  46. B

    SIR2: Could a Gene Extend Human Lifespan 6x?

    Could the exclusion of the SIR2 gene lengthen the human lifespan 6 times? it's been shown to lengthen lifespan like that in animals such as worms right?
  47. J

    Exploring the Possibility of a Jealousy Gene in Humans: Insights from Evolution

    Is there a gene for jealousy in human beings ? If no, why can a gene be on in some time during the course of evolution ? Thanks Joan John
  48. P

    Understanding 'A Gene for X' from Steven Pinker's Debate

    Hi, the following is from Steven Pinker's debate (against Rose). Can somebody please translate this into more understandable language. I know what allele and average and all the individual terms mean, but I just don't get the concept and I want to know what evolutionists mean when they say "a...
  49. P

    Organisms evolve through gene regulation: who/what is the regulator?

    Who or what regulates genes? And does this falsify the view that random mutation (and selection) evolves organisms?
  50. I

    Does gene technology have implications on society?

    Does gene technology have implications on society? what do you people think?
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