Here's a breakdown:
* DNA: Contains the genetic code, a blueprint for building and maintaining an organism.
* Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein.
* Protein: A complex molecule essential for many biological functions.
Gene expression is the process by which the information in a gene is used to create a functional product, typically a protein. It involves two main steps:
1. Transcription: DNA is copied into a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule.
2. Translation: mRNA is used as a template to assemble amino acids into a protein.
So, gene expression is the whole process by which DNA's instructions are used to build a specific protein.