Genes are small parts of a long molecule called DNA. In total humans have between 20,000 – 25,000 genes. Most genes are recipes for making specific proteins, they also tell a cell how to function and what traits to express. More specifically gene regulators turn specific genes on and off in different cells to control cell functions.

One gene for example may be a recipe for making more inflammatory proteins when the skin has an irritation, while another can be a responsible for “turning on” the production of melanin when skin has been exposed to harsh sunlight.

The information in your genes is passed down from generation to generation. A contribution from both your mother and your father. Without genes our body would not be able to function correctly, cells would have no guidance as to when key proteins need to be produced or when too much has been produced.

If you were to line up all of your genes and DNA it would measure almost 6 feet long! But it is compacted so tightly that it fits into 1 cell nucleus.