What is a gene?

A gene is a section of DNA that codes for a specific trait, making this choice the most accurate. Genes are fundamental units of heredity, responsible for defining physical and functional characteristics in an organism. They provide the instructions needed for the synthesis of proteins, which play crucial roles in the biological processes of life.

Each gene consists of a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA, which determines the production of proteins that contribute to traits such as eye color, height, and metabolic functions. The expression of these genes can influence how an organism develops and how it interacts with its environment.

The other options do not accurately represent what a gene is. A sequence of proteins, for instance, refers to the product of gene expression rather than the gene itself. An organelle in a cell (such as the nucleus, mitochondria, etc.) is a component of the cell with specific functions and is not equivalent to a gene. Lastly, RNA is a molecule that plays various roles in cellular functions and can be involved in gene expression, but it is not itself a gene.