The rising complexity of the gene
The gene started its existence as a unit of heredity. Last century it became a sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location on a chromosome. A discrete structure like a bead on a string. Now molecular biology is changing this definition. As the genome program evolves gene definition becomes more and more intricate.
The traditional view of the gene has changed:
1. Gene is not discrete.
2. Gene is not isolated. It listens to signals from the organism
3. Gene change (mutation) is not random.
4. Gene is dynamic, and so is the genome.
5. Gene codes for many proteins
6. Gene mutation does not cause disease.