Genes control plant traits by carrying the instructions for making proteins, which determine how a plant grows, looks, and functions.
Here’s how it works simply:
1. Genes are parts of DNA:
Each gene is a small segment of DNA that contains a specific code, like a recipe, for making a particular protein.
2. Proteins determine traits:
The proteins made from gene instructions perform different functions in the plant — they build structures, control chemical reactions, and regulate growth.
- Example: A gene that produces chlorophyll helps make leaves green.
- Another gene might control flower color or fruit shape.
3. Gene expression:
Not all genes are active all the time. Certain genes are turned on or off depending on the plant’s needs or environmental conditions (like light or temperature).
4. Alleles and variation:
Each gene can have different versions, called alleles. These alleles can produce variations in traits.
- Example: One allele may cause red flowers, another may cause white flowers.
5. Dominant and recessive traits:
When a plant has two different alleles for a trait, one may be dominant (expressed) and the other recessive (hidden).
- Example: If R = red and r = white, a plant with Rr will have red flowers because R is dominant.
In short:
Genes control plant traits by directing the production of proteins that shape how the plant looks and functions. The combination and expression of different alleles determine the variety of traits seen in plants.