What determines traits in an organism?

Traits in an organism are primarily determined by genes, which are segments of DNA that encode specific information needed to produce proteins that influence an organism's characteristics. Each gene has a specific location on a chromosome and carries instructions for building proteins that play crucial roles in cellular functions and development.

These proteins can affect everything from physical characteristics, like eye color or height, to biochemical pathways that influence metabolism. The variation in genes between individuals is what leads to the diversity of traits observed in populations. This genetic information is passed from parents to offspring through reproduction, ensuring that traits can be inherited across generations.

While chromosomes house genes, and proteins are the products that result from gene expression, it is the genes themselves that contain the instructions necessary for determining traits. Enzymes, which are a type of protein, also play important roles in biochemical reactions but do not directly determine traits on their own.