What is the term for a segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait?

What is the term for a segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait?

• A. Chromatid
• B. Gene
• C. Codon
• D. Genome

Answer: (B)

The term for a segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait is a gene. Genes are fundamental units of heredity and are responsible for the production of proteins, which in turn influence an organism's characteristics and traits. Each gene consists of a specific sequence of nucleotides that encode the instructions for synthesizing a particular protein or, in some cases, functional RNA molecules. In the context of genetics, it's essential to understand that genes are located on chromosomes and comprise segments that can vary in length and composition. The presence of a functional gene within an organism's genome can lead to the expression of specific traits, such as eye color or blood type. The other terms mentioned relate to different aspects of genetics: a chromatid refers to one half of a duplicated chromosome, a codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies an amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis, and the genome denotes the complete set of genetic material in an organism, encompassing all its genes. Therefore, in this question, the most accurate term for a DNA segment coding for a specific trait is indeed a gene.

The term for a segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait is a gene. Genes are fundamental units of heredity and are responsible for the production of proteins, which in turn influence an organism's characteristics and traits. Each gene consists of a specific sequence of nucleotides that encode the instructions for synthesizing a particular protein or, in some cases, functional RNA molecules.

In the context of genetics, it's essential to understand that genes are located on chromosomes and comprise segments that can vary in length and composition. The presence of a functional gene within an organism's genome can lead to the expression of specific traits, such as eye color or blood type.

The other terms mentioned relate to different aspects of genetics: a chromatid refers to one half of a duplicated chromosome, a codon is a sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies an amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis, and the genome denotes the complete set of genetic material in an organism, encompassing all its genes. Therefore, in this question, the most accurate term for a DNA segment coding for a specific trait is indeed a gene.