Where are genes physically located within an organism?

Genes are physically located within DNA, which is the molecule that carries the genetic blueprint for an organism. Each gene is a specific sequence of nucleotides within the DNA, which encodes instructions for synthesizing proteins that perform various functions in the body. The organization of genetic information occurs on chromosomes, which are structures made up of long strands of DNA coiled around proteins. Therefore, while chromosomes are the structures that house the DNA, it is the DNA itself that contains the actual genes.

In the context of molecular biology, RNA serves as an intermediary that is synthesized from DNA during the process of transcription to help translate genetic information into proteins, but it does not contain the genes themselves. Proteins are the end products of gene expression and are not where genes are located. Hence, recognizing the distinction between these components is crucial for understanding genetic organization and function.