Gene expression
Every cell in a multicellular organism contains a complete set of chromosomeThe structure made of DNA that codes for all the characteristics of an organism. with every geneThe basic unit of genetic material inherited from our parents. A gene is a section of DNA which controls part of a cell's chemistry - particularly protein production. needed to make every protein that that organism will ever make.
However, in any particular cell, only a very small fraction of these genes are ever expressed.
Each cell is specialised to carry out a certain task and will only need to express certain genes.
Gene expression is the process by which specific genes are activated to produce a required protein. An organism's phenotypeThe visible characteristics of an organism which occur as a result of its genes. is determined by the proteins produced, depending on environmental factors.
The gene expression process is made up of the transcription and translation of DNA sequences. This involves RNA.