Final answer:
A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a specific trait. Genes are responsible for the inheritance of traits and play a crucial role in the variation and diversity of life on Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a specific trait. Genes are the basic units of heredity and are responsible for the inheritance of traits from parents to offspring. Each gene contains the instructions for building a particular protein or set of proteins, which ultimately determine the traits or characteristics of an organism.
For example, let's consider eye color in humans. There is a specific gene that encodes the instructions for producing the pigment responsible for eye color. Different versions of this gene, known as alleles, can result in different eye colors such as blue, green, or brown.
Genes are passed down from parents to their offspring through sexual reproduction, and they play a crucial role in the variation and diversity of life on Earth.
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