Genes carry information which is decoded by the organism to perform a specific function or task.
DNA is not capable of catalyzing any reaction by itself. For example, in Griffith's experiments the gene responsible for transformation of avirulent bacteria into virulent, disease-causing bacteria in some way carried information to convert this bacterium into a pathogen. Genes carry information for a number of different functions. The function that is most typically thought of is that of encoding proteins . Other genes encode specific RNA molecules which are not translated into proteins but perform other functions within the cell.