It is a small, watery compartment filled with chemicals and a complete copy of the organism's genome. Different kinds of organisms have different numbers of chromosomes. The material inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms. The crosspieces, or rungs, are made up of base pairs, also known as nucleotides. The basic unit of heredity, the gene contains the functional and physical characteristics passed from parent to offspring.
Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.
The process of determining the positions of genes on a chromosome and the distance between them. The introduction of healthy genetic material to replace, augment or influence genes that do not function properly. In some cases the material can be injected with what is known as a genetic vaccination. In other cases the material is introduced through bioengineered viruses that carry the therapeutic gene to the cell. Globules known as liposomes can also be used to carry therapeutic genes to specific cells.