A gene is a basic unit of heredity in a living organism. It is a sequence of DNA that contains the instructions for building and maintaining the cells of a specific organism, determining various traits and functions.
Genes are made up of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA. Each gene provides the necessary information to produce proteins, which perform a variety of tasks within the body, including supporting structure, function, and regulation of cells.
Additionally, genes can be passed down from parents to offspring, which is why offspring often resemble their parents. The expression of genes can also be influenced by environmental factors, leading to variations in traits even among individuals with similar genetic backgrounds.