<p><strong>Genetics</strong> (from the Greek <em>genno</em> <strong>&gamma;&epsilon;&nu;&nu;ώ</strong> = give birth) is the science of genes, heredity, evolution, and the variation of organisms. The phenomenon of inheritance has been implicitly utilized in breeding of organisms and selection for desired traits, and the scientific field of genetics seeks to understand the mechanisms of inheritance.</p>

<p>The genetic information of organisms is contained within the chemical structure of [[DNA]] (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules. Individually inherited traits, corresponding to regions in the DNA sequence, are called genes. Genes encode the information necessary for synthesizing RNA and proteins -- complex molecules generally responsible for enzymatic reactions, synthesis, communication and structure within a cell. DNA sequence is transcribed into an intermediate molecule called &quot;messenger RNA&quot;, and ribosomes translate this sequence to form a chain of amino acids to form a protein. This process is known as the central dogma of molecular biology.</p>