Answer:
Genes are segments of DNA that contain instructions for the production of specific proteins. Proteins are the molecules that perform various functions in cells and organisms, such as providing structural support, transporting molecules, and catalyzing chemical reactions.
In the case of the hypothetical bird species, the gene that codes for the purple pigment protein is responsible for producing the purple pigment in the bird's feathers. When a random mutation occurs in this gene, it can affect the production of the pigment protein. In the case of the white bird, the mutation likely results in a non-functional protein that cannot produce the purple pigment, resulting in white feathers.
This process of genes producing proteins, which in turn determine the traits of an organism, is known as the central dogma of molecular biology. The central dogma states that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein, and that the sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the sequence of amino acids in proteins, which in turn determine the structure and function of the protein and ultimately the traits of the organism.
Step-by-step explanation: