An alteration in a gene that can be transmitted from one generation to the next. Although many mutations are associated with defects, some have no effect on health of an organism. The part of a gene that does not specify the structure of a protein. Non-coding regions of DNA often contain elements that regulate when a protein will be made, and how much of that protein will be produced. See base pair.
Examples are hormones, enzymes, and antibodies.
The process of determining the specific order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule. Sequencing also refers to determining the order of amino acids in a protein. A collection of SNPs that can be superimposed over the existing genome map, creating greater detail, and facilitating further genetic studies.