The DNA double helix stores information in the form of a genetic code. Sections of DNA that contain complete messages are known as genes. They can be thought of as 'words' along the DNA 'sentences'.
Genes are messages that provide the information for all cellular functions. They carry information that is passed on to future generations.
An organism's genes determine:
the characteristics that are used to classify it into the plant or animal kingdom and into a specific family and species
how it uses food
how well it fights infection
at times, how it behaves.
Each human cell (except red blood cells) contains between 25,000 and 42,000 genes. Genes control the production of proteins that make up most of your body.
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