In: Biology
What is a gene? Can one gene overlap another, and how does one know where a gene begins and ends in the genome?
Gene is a unit of heredity and composed of the small sections of the DNA molecules. The genes determine both the physical and genetical attributes of all living organisms. Yes, two genes can overlap either on the same or on the opposite DNA strands. One needs to check the start codon (AUG) and stop codons (UAA, UGA, UAG) for identifying the beginning and end of a particular gene respectively.