Difference between DNA and genes?

Im confused- DNA determines characteristics right? Well so do genes? If genes are short sections of DNA what is the purpose of the rest of the DNA molecule?

Reply 1

RiskVsReward

2

Genes are parts of dna that code for specific proteins i think lol

Reply 2

Maz A

16

Original post by CoronationStreet

Im confused- DNA determines characteristics right? Well so do genes? If genes are short sections of DNA what is the purpose of the rest of the DNA molecule?

Spot on Genes are sections of DNA. At AS level DNA is used for protein synthesis (RNA is used to give information form nucleus to the rough ER), at GCSE level I think simply knowing that genes code for characteristics is sufficient.

Reply 3

Munrot07

18

Original post by CoronationStreet

Im confused- DNA determines characteristics right? Well so do genes? If genes are short sections of DNA what is the purpose of the rest of the DNA molecule?

DNA is the substance found in the nucleus of cells that codes for our whole body to work (the simple definition). A gene is a short section of DNA that codes for one protein. There are many genes in DNA coding for many proteins.

A lot of DNA doesn't actually code for proteins but can be involved in regulating expression of these genes. Equally a lot of the genome is actually "junk" and is basically made up of parasitic DNA (DNA that just lives in our genome but doesn't do anything).

I hope that makes sense.

Reply 4

xsashax

3

Genes are made of DNA :smile:

Dna is just a molecule, genes is the name for a section of that molecule!

Reply 5

CoronationStreet

OP

11

Original post by Munrot07

DNA is the substance found in the nucleus of cells that codes for our whole body to work (the simple definition). A gene is a short section of DNA that codes for one protein. There are many genes in DNA coding for many proteins.

A lot of DNA doesn't actually code for proteins but can be involved in regulating expression of these genes. Equally a lot of the genome is actually "junk" and is basically made up of parasitic DNA (DNA that just lives in our genome but doesn't do anything).

I hope that makes sense.

So is DNA generally genetic information for everything, but genes are sections of a specific protein and thus a specific characteristic?
But if DNA is generally for everything isnt this the same as genome?

Reply 6

SmashConcept

20

Genome :: city
Gene :: house
DNA :: bricks

Reply 7

Munrot07

18

Original post by CoronationStreet

So is DNA generally genetic information for everything, but genes are sections of a specific protein and thus a specific characteristic?
But if DNA is generally for everything isnt this the same as genome?

You are correct in your distinction. The genome is the complete set of DNA of an organism (technically the haploid set but don't worry have that if you haven't come across the term yet). DNA is just the molecule. One gene is DNA, one chromosome is DNA the whole genome is DNA.

Think of it like a book. The book is the genome (the complete story) but it's made up of pages. Each page is made up of words. The chapters are made up of words. The whole book is made up of words. DNA is the words.

Reply 8

Anonbabes

19

Original post by CoronationStreet

Im confused- DNA determines characteristics right? Well so do genes? If genes are short sections of DNA what is the purpose of the rest of the DNA molecule?

DNA determines characteristics such as hair colour.
DNA is made up of genes. Genes are made up of bases which code for a particular DNA. I think

Reply 9

Munrot07

18

Original post by Anonbabes

DNA determines characteristics such as hair colour.
DNA is made up of genes. Genes are made up of bases which code for a particular DNA. I think

You've got it the wrong way round :smile:

Genes determine characteristics and are made up of DNA (which includes bases).

Reply 10

CoronationStreet

OP

11

Original post by SmashConcept

Genome :: city
Gene :: house
DNA :: bricks

Wouldnt DNA be the house as genes are sections of DNA?

Reply 11

SmashConcept

20

Original post by CoronationStreet

Wouldnt DNA be the house as genes are sections of DNA?

No.

Reply 12

HPanimadPJO

11

Original post by CoronationStreet

Wouldnt DNA be the house as genes are sections of DNA?

And bases be the bricks, dna the street, genes the houses, idk

Reply 13

LogicalFallacy

12

Genes make up DNA, not the other way around.

Reply 14

Munrot07

18

Original post by CoronationStreet

Wouldnt DNA be the house as genes are sections of DNA?

Original post by HPanimadPJO

And bases be the bricks, dna the street, genes the houses, idk

Genes are made of DNA...each gene coding for a different protein so in that analogy each gene is a different house but each house is made of the same thing...bricks the bricks being DNA.

Bases are a part of DNA (One DNA section is made of a base, a sugar and a phosphate) being the base would be more like one of the parts of the bricks (don't really know what makes up bricks :P ).

If you attach all these genes together you get the genome...the genome being the whole city made up of different houses (genes).

Reply 15

Munrot07

18

Original post by LogicalFallacy

Genes make up DNA, not the other way around.

No...genes are made up of DNA.

Reply 16

Christina1999H

1

It's a bit confusing because DNA is a plural and singular noun:

DNA molecules form DNA
Chromosomes are basically long chains of DNA Molecules, and we have 46 chromosomes, arranged into 23 pairs. One chromosome in each pair is from your mother, and the other from your father.
A Gene is a section of chromosome, which is made up of the DNA molecules. A gene codes for a particular characteristic. For example, a section of a particular chromosome (humans have 46 chains of DNA basically) will code for eye color.

We have a lot of genes - there are lengths of DNA which code for everything about you and your physical characteristics: hair colour, height, shoe size etc. but obviously some traits have environmental factors.

The rest of the DNA which does not form a gene is known as "junk" - and no one really knows what they do yet: some lengths of DNA molecules can switch genes on and off, so basically control which genes are actively coding for your characteristics.

Its a lot to get your head around, but hopefully you understand a bit better now :smile:

good luck!

Reply 17

LogicalFallacy

12

Ah of course, I see you are right.

Difference between DNA and genes?

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