What's the difference between gene and DNA?

Answer 1

A gene is a sequence (in laymens terms, a certain "length") of DNA that controls a specific genetic TRAIT, like eye color, hair color, what have you. Did you know that a lot of the DNA we have does not even code for a single trait whatsoever? Its just THERE, doing nothing. The reason for this is that as DNA replicates or copies itself, it is prone to mistakes called mutations. But if you have EXTRA DNA, chances are less good that a mutation will occur in an IMPORTANT region of DNA. You have to remember that while mutations can be beneficial, most of them are not so. The vast majority of mutations are harmful! Suppose for the moment that a mutation occurs in an important gene on the other hand. The result of this could be a weakened immune system, mental retardation, inability to metabolize food properly, and so on. The above example illustrates the difference between DNA and a gene sequence. DNA is a macromolecule consisting of a nitrogenous base (adenine, guanine, cytosine or thymine), the sugar deoxyribose, and a phosphate group. But certain lengths of DNA control inheritable characteristics, and these regions are called genes.

Great question!

Answer 2

DNA is the substance that genes are made of. A gene is a 'bit' of information about how to create you.(that's pretty generic, there's actually many genes that are not used at all) All of your genes put together make up your genome.

Answer 3

a gene is what makes up Your DNA, a DNA is a kind of code for your body, You inherit genes which come together to make the code.... that is the difference

Answer 4

a gene is a unit of inhertince made up of several nucleotides on the DNA chain, the nucleotides are in a specific order. DNA is a collection of genes made up odf nucleotides, linked together to form the DNA strand

Answer 5

DNA is the name of the long chain of molecule on which one's genetic code is contained. "Gene"s are small organized portions of DNA on which code on the same kind of information are stored (ie. eye color or future hair loss). In a manner of speaking DNA is like the library and gene is like the novels section or the monthly journals section (any section).

Answer 6

DNA is what most genes are made of.

Answer 7

DNA is a large organic molecule that carries information about ur body
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=DNA&Submit2=Go
Gene is a collection of DNA is a functional unit of a chromosome
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=gene&Submit2=Go

Answer 8

well, gene had two girls, dna and rna. funny names i must say.