Why are non-coding genes called "genes"

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A gene is defined as a unit of heredity, but this definition extends beyond just coding sequences. Non-coding regions of DNA, which do not produce proteins or RNA, are still considered genes because they can influence inheritable traits and serve important regulatory functions. These non-coding sequences can act as binding sites for proteins that regulate the transcription of nearby coding genes. While the human genome contains approximately 20,000 protein-coding genes, the total number of genes, including non-coding ones, is significantly higher, reflecting the complexity of genetic regulation and inheritance.
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I thought that a gene by definition is a unit of heredity, so a portion of DNA that doesn't code for anything wouldn't be a unit of heredity and therefore shouldn't really be called a gene, no? Also if current estimates for protein coding genes in human genome is about 20000, how many total genes are there in human genome?
thanks for any help
 
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Genes don't have to code for any thing to be a gene.
Gene is a term that has been used since before DNA was understood. It has been used to designate any inheritable trait.

Non-coding control sequences can be found as mutations (and therefore considered a gene) even though they do not code for proteins or RNA transcripts.
They could be binding sites for proteins which could control transcribing of a neighboring coding sequence.
 
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