What is the term for a portion of DNA that codes for a specific characteristic?

The term that refers to a portion of DNA that codes for a specific characteristic is a gene. Genes are segments of DNA that contain the instructions for building proteins, which play key roles in determining the traits and characteristics of an organism. Each gene can influence various biological processes and contribute to different physical and functional traits.

RNA, while a crucial molecule involved in the synthesis of proteins from genes, does not code for characteristics directly. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, but they are not segments of DNA; rather, they are created through the translation of the information in genes. Chromosomes are structures within cells that contain many genes, but they are broader in scope and organization than a single gene itself. Therefore, identifying a gene as the specific segment of DNA responsible for coding a particular characteristic is essential in the study of genetics and heredity.