Human genetic information primarily is contained within chromosomal nuclear genes, inherited from both parents, but is also present in mitochondrial genes inherited from the maternal line and now known also from the fraternal line
The protein may be modified to become fully functional (e.g., folding, cleavage, adding chemical groups).
It allows cells to respond to their environment.
It determines cell function and identity (e.g., muscle cells express muscle proteins; neurons express neurotransmitter-related genes).
Abnormal gene expression can lead to diseases, including cancer.
Let me know if you'd like an analogy or a diagram to explain it further.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The gene products are often proteins.
Functional RNA ( rRNA, and tRNA, siRNA. ) is also a gene product which is a non-protein
The formation of the gene product gives the gene control over structure and function.The gene products define the transmission of hereditary characteristics.
Genes act in combination with an organism's environment to influence development.
Human genetic information primarily is contained within chromosomal nuclear genes, inherited from both parents, but is also present in mitochondrial genes inherited from the maternal line and now known also from the fraternal line
References
1. Gene Expression:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_expression.
2. Gene Regulation:http://www.nature.com/scitable/topic/gene-expression-and-regulation-15