In the context of the fundamentals of genetics, what term best describes a segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait?

• A. Nucleotide
• B. Codon
• C. Gene
• D. Chromosome

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the basic units of genetic information: DNA is composed of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA.
2. Recognize that a codon is a sequence of three nucleotides that codes for a specific amino acid during protein synthesis, not a trait itself.
3. Know that a chromosome is a large structure made of DNA and proteins that contains many genes.
4. Identify that a gene is a specific segment of DNA that contains the instructions to produce a particular protein or trait.
5. Conclude that the term 'gene' best describes a segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait.