Genes: The hereditary material coded in cells that determine how an organism will look and behave. A gene is a single unit located on a chromosome and is thereby passed from one generation to the next. Genes are what make each species and individual unique. For example, genes are responsible for hair colour and texture in humans. See also chromosome, DNA.

 

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Genes: Specific segments of DNA that control cell structure and function; the functional units of inheritance. Sequence of DNA bases usually code for a polypeptide sequence of amino acids.

DNA Repair Genes: Genes encoding proteins that correct errors in dna sequencing.

Housekeeping Genes: Those genes expressed in all cells because they provide functions needed for sustenance of all cell types.

Oncogenes: Genes that can activate cell division in cells that normally do not divide or do so only slowly. A gene that when over-expressed leads to cancer, but which normally functions in cell division.