How DNA codes for traits?

Question

Anyone knows how DNA codes for traits?
Can anyone tell as simple as possible what is gene and how it is related to DNA

Answer 1

A gene codes for a protein. FIrst you have double-stranded DNA. It uncoils in the nucleus of the cell, and is "transcribed" by some special molecules. What this does is it creates something called "messenger RNA' that leaves the nucleus (once it is further processed to remove "introns"). The messenger RNA (also called mRNA) is a complement of the DNA. The best way to describe a complement is to look at a ladder and imagine cutting it in half right down the middle. That way, you get two halves (complements) of the ladder that can come together. Originally you have a ladder from the DNA, but that unwinds, and special proteins "chop" that ladder in two. Then mRNA pieces slowly attach to each half. The pieces pair up in the right order based on the genetic code.

The mRNA is then translated by another type of RNA called transferRNA (tRNA). Translation is the actual process where bits of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) are formed from the template mRNA in cellular organelles called Ribosomes.

To sum up simply:

DNA-->transcription--->mRNA- -->tRNA(translation)--->amino acid building blocks of proteins. Genes code for proteins.

Answer 2

"A gene is a locatable region of genomic sequence, corresponding to a unit of inheritance, which is associated with regulatory regions, transcribed regions and/or other functional sequence regions. Genes interact with each other to influence physical development and behavior. Genes consist of a long strand of DNA (RNA in some viruses) that contains a promoter, which controls the activity of a gene, and a coding sequence."

In more simple form:
Nature is elegant and seemingly simple -
DNA consists of just four possible building blocks, call them A, G, T, and C (Adenine Guanine Thymine Cytosine). All life, other than virus, on Earth are made of the same four building blocks. The only difference between you and an oak tree is the number of, and sequence of, these four building blocks. A sequence of DNA codes to a protein. All your body tissues are a types of proteins. Combinations of proteins form genes.

Hope this helps. Try reading some of the references in Wikipedia, the free, online encyclopedia below: