Difference Between Gene And Chromosome

The most basic physical and functional unit of heredity is the gene. Genes are made up of DNA. Few genes act as blueprints for the production of proteins. Many genes, however, do not code for proteins.The size of genes in humans range in size from a few hundred to more than 2 million DNA bases. Humans have genes ranging between 20,000 and 25,000 , according to the Human Genome Project, which is a worldwide research effort that aims to discover the sequence of the human genome and also to identify its contained genes.

Each person when gets born,born with two copies of each gene, one from each parent. The majority of genes are identical in all persons, although a small number of genes (less than 1% of the total) deviate slightly. Variants of the same gene with minor changes in DNA base sequence are known as Alleles . These little variations add to the uniqueness of each person’s physical appearance.

Scientists assign genes unique names in order to keep track of them. Because gene names can be extensive, genes are given symbols, which are short combinations of letters (and sometimes digits) that represent an abbreviated version of the gene name. For example, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene is located on chromosome 7 and has been associated with cystic fibrosis.

In the cell nucleus, a chromosome is a well-organized DNA packet. The number of chromosomes in each organism varies.Humans have 23 chromosomal pairs, including 22 numbered autosomes and one pair of X and Y chromosomes. Each parent gives one chromosome to each pair, resulting in kids with half of their mother’s and half of their father’s chromosomes.

DNA is tightly wrapped around spool-like proteins called histones in chromosomes with a unique shape. If DNA molecules were not packaged in this fashion, they would be too long to fit inside cells. If all of the DNA molecules in a single human cell were untied from their histones and placed end-to-end, the cell would be 6 feet long..

In order for an organism to grow and function properly, cells must constantly divide to produce new cells to replace old, worn-out cells. During cell division, it’s vital for DNA to remain intact and evenly dispersed among cells. Chromosomes are an

integral part of the process that ensures DNA is properly copied and dispersed in the vast majority of cell divisions. Even then, errors do occur from time to time.

Sex chromosome:

A sex chromosome is a type of chromosome that contributes to a person’s gender. Humans and most other mammals have the X and Y chromosomes. In their cells, males have both X and Y chromosomes, whereas females have two X chromosomes. X chromosomes are found in all egg cells, whereas sperm cells can have either X or Y chromosomes.This system dictates that the male chooses the sex of the offspring after fertilisation.

In animals, the sex chromosomes usually define an organism’s gender. In humans, the X and Y chromosomes are the X and Y chromosomes. You are a lady if your number is XX, as you may recall.

If you’re an XY, you’re a man. Other mammals typically have similar chromosome names, albeit they may have different names for those chromosomes. What’s particularly intriguing is the size difference between these two chromosomes, with the X chromosome being significantly larger than the Y chromosome. They also have specific genetic differences.

Gene expression regulation:

Gene expression refers to the transcription of a gene into mRNA and subsequent translation into protein. Protein binding to specific DNA sites regulates the bulk of gene expression at the transcriptional level.

Most proteins that regulate gene expression, including transcription factors and long non-coding RNAs, are modulated by the underlying packaging of each eukaryotic gene into chromatin. The relative “openness” of chromatin controls each of these factors’ access to DNA.

Gene regulatory proteins allow an organism’s individual genes to be turned on or off individually. Diverse types of gene regulatory proteins are found in different cell types, directing gene expression patterns that give each cell type its distinct properties.

Differences between gene and chromosome:

Conclusion :

Our genes carry instructions for your cells to produce substances known as proteins. Proteins help you stay healthy by performing a variety of activities in your body. Each gene contains instructions for determining your physical characteristics, such as eye colour, hair colour, and height. For each feature, there are several variants of genes.