Complex molecule that carries genetic information that defines an organism's traits. It is stored in the nucleus.

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• Nucleotides:
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¶Nucleotides are the monomeric building blocks of nucleic acid polymers, deoxyribonucleic acid, and ribonucleic acid. Nucleotides follow genes.
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• Genes:
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¶Genes are DNA regions that instruct cells on making proteins, and they are the fundamental physical and functional units of heredity. Because chromosomes contain genes, their organization is similar to that of chromosomes.
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• Chromosomes:
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¶Chromosomes are threadlike structures inside the nucleus of animal and plant cells, made up of protein and a single molecule of DNA.
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• Cells:
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¶Cells are the basic building blocks; the human body consists of Trillions of cells. They provide structural support to the body, absorb nutrition from food, convert those nutrients into energy, and perform specialized functions. In addition, cells can replicate themselves and contain the body's genetic material.
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• Nucleus:
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¶The command center of the cell is the nucleus, sending instructions to the cell to grow, mature, divide, or die. It also contains the cell's hereditary material, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The nuclear envelope protects the DNA and separates the nucleus from the surrounding cell.
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