Genes and Traits

Open to everyone until Friday, October 2

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Genes are sections of DNA. They carry instructions that help build and run a body, and they can affect visible features like eye color, hair, and hand shape.

In the picture

A colored band on the twisted ladder: a DNA segment that carries an instruction.
The eye on the human figure: a visible feature influenced by genes.
The lock of hair on the human figure: a visible feature influenced by genes.
The hand of the human figure: a visible feature influenced by genes.

Examples

Eye color often follows patterns seen in parents.
Hair texture can be curly or straight, like in other family members.

Key takeaways

Genes are DNA segments that carry instructions for building and operating a body.
Many visible traits are influenced by genes, and often by environment too.