Final answer:
Genes are regions in DNA that carry the coded information for the inheritance of specific characteristics. They consist of nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, expressing various traits, and form the genetic blueprint of an organism. Noncoding regions also play significant roles in the genome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The regions in DNA that contain coded information which determines unique characteristics are known as genes. Genes are comprised of sequences of nucleotides, specifically cytosine (C), thymine (T), adenine (A), and guanine (G). These genes are located on chromosomes within the nucleus of every cell. In diploid organisms, chromosomes come in pairs called homologous chromosomes, which are identical in terms of structure and gene location.
Each gene corresponds to specific characteristics, such as hair color or earlobe shape, by coding for particular proteins. These proteins are the expression of traits which are different forms of a characteristic. The entire set of genes within an organism constitutes its genetic blueprint, which is inherited from its parents and determines the organism's unique features.
Importantly, the DNA also includes noncoding regions that do not code for proteins but play roles in the regulation of gene expression and maintain chromosomal stability. Thus, the genome consists of both coding and noncoding DNA, contributing to the complexity of the genetic code and the diversity of life.