Final answer:
Nardonella's remaining genes serve to regulate cellular functions, encode structural proteins, and determine inherited traits, as they provide the instructions for protein synthesis and are inherited from one generation to another.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the information provided, Nardonella's remaining genes primarily function to regulate cellular functions, encode structural proteins, and determine inherited traits. Nardonella, like other organisms, would have genes that direct the production of proteins which are essential to cellular structure and function. These genetic sequences dictate the instructions for synthesizing proteins through the process of transcription (whereby DNA is transcribed into mRNA) and translation (whereby mRNA is translated into the sequential amino acid chain of a protein).
Proteins are vital for cellular functions, and they often serve as structural components within cells. Furthermore, genes carried on DNA are passed from one generation to the next, thus determining the inherited genetic makeup, or genotype, of an organism - which in turn impacts the phenotype, the observable characteristics of an organism.
Genetic material, however, does not inherently initiate gene mutations. Mutations are usually the result of errors in the DNA replication process or the influence of external factors such as UV radiation or chemicals. Gene regulation is a critical aspect of cellular functions, ensuring that proteins are synthesized only when needed, preventing wastage of resources in both multicellular and single-celled organisms. In summary, the functions of genes encompass regulation of cellular activity, structural design of proteins, and conveyance of hereditary information across generations.