Here's a breakdown:
* DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic instructions.
* Gene: A segment of DNA that provides the code for a specific protein.
* Protein: A complex molecule made up of amino acids, which perform a wide range of functions in the body.
How it works:
1. Transcription: The DNA sequence of a gene is copied into a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule.
2. Translation: The mRNA molecule travels to a ribosome, where it is used as a template to assemble amino acids into a protein chain.
So, a gene is like a blueprint for building a specific protein, and the protein itself is like the final product.