Here's how it works:

* Genes are made of DNA, which contains the instructions for building and maintaining an organism.

* Genes code for specific proteins. Proteins are the workhorses of the cell, carrying out a wide range of functions, including:

* Building and repairing tissues: Collagen, keratin, and muscle proteins are examples.

* Enzymes: These proteins speed up chemical reactions in the body.

* Hormones: These proteins act as chemical messengers, regulating various bodily processes.

* Antibodies: These proteins help fight off infections.

* The process of protein synthesis:

* Transcription: DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA).

* Translation: The mRNA is used as a template to assemble amino acids into a specific protein chain.

So, genes ultimately control the characteristics and functions of an organism by dictating which proteins are made and in what amounts.