The Relationship Between Genes, Evolution and Environment What is a Gen? A gene is genetic material consisting of a piece of DNA that determines an individual's traits. This smallest unit of genetic material is found in each distinctive locus on a chromosome. Genes consist of a piece of DNA that determines individual traits through the formation of polypeptides. Genes are between 4 - 8 m (microns) in size. Genes also act as trait controllers in organisms. In this case, genes play an important role in the process of inheriting traits. Some inherited traits include skin color, eye shape, hair shape, or certain types of diseases. The process of inheriting traits from parents to their children is called heredity. Gene Traits Genes have the following properties: 1. Contains genetic information. 2. Each gene has a different task and function. 3. At the time of mitotic division and meiosis can hold duplication. 4. Determined by the arrangement of the combination of nitrogenous bases. 5. As a blood contained in the chromosome. Gene Function Here are the functions of genes as heredity material: 1. Genes function as separate particles contained in chromosomes. 2. Conveys genetic information from parents to offspring. 3. Regulate metabolic processes and development What is a Evolution? Evolution is a change in the body structure of living things that takes place slowly over a very long time. Evolution comes from the Latin word “Evolvo” which means to stretch. The understanding of the concept of evolution can arise both naturally and logically from the understanding of genetics. This concept emerged not from history but was put forward based on the results of research and observations of similarities and differences in the structure and function of various parts of the world, including the results of Charles Darwin's research and observations. Evolution according to the dictionary means change. Evolution means change over time in one or more inherited traits in a population. The concept of evolution according to Hassan (2014) that evolution only occurs in inherited traits in a population is not widely understood by students or the wider community. Changes that occur in one of the non-inherited traits in a population will not cause evolution. Although the change is caused by nature or human engineering. One example is when a bonsai plant that has been engineered by humans to be dwarfed produces seeds and then the seeds are planted. Then the seed will grow as a normal plant and not dwarfed if it is not treated by humans, meaning that the dwarf trait is not passed on to the next generation, especially in the population. Principle of Evolution Evolution is driven by two main mechanisms, natural selection and genetic drift. Natural selection is a process that causes inherited traits that are useful for the survival and reproduction of organisms to become more common in a population and conversely, harmful traits to become less common. This happens because individuals with favorable traits are more likely to reproduce, so more individuals in the next generation inherit these favorable traits. After a few generations, adaptation occurs through the combination of these small, random changes in traits with natural selection. Genetic drift, on the other hand, is an independent process that produces random changes in the trait frequencies of a population. In humans, there are instincts at the bottom of our being that can be explored through various approaches discussed in Mortido's book Fear, Greed and Insight An Evolution of Civilization Revised Edition. Genetic drift is generated by the probability of whether a trait will be inherited when an individual survives and reproduces. Although the changes produced by drift and natural selection are small, they accumulate and cause substantial changes in the organism. This process culminates in the creation of a new species. Definition of Environment J. McNAughton and Larry L. Wolf explain that the definition of the environment is all external factors. The factors in question are either physical or biological in nature. These factors have a direct influence on life. Such as growth, development and reproductive activities of an organism. The definition of environment is also found in the encyclopedia of forestry. This is because the environment is the object of study of the forestry field. The environment is the sum total of all non-genetic factors. This number has an influence on the growth and reproduction of trees. Not only in the forestry encyclopedia. The definition of environment is also in the dictionary of ecology. The environment is part of a whole that is related to each other. In addition, the environment is also related to living and non-living things. The whole is naturally located on earth and other areas. Benefits of the Environment for Living Things The environment is a very important place for living things. This is because there are important functions in it. The following are the functions of the environment for living things: 1. Land and land on the surface of the earth can be used as a place to stand and do daily activities. 2. Land can also be used as an area for economic activities, such as agricultural land, plantations, and livestock, other social activities. 3. Air contained in the environment such as oxygen can be utilized by humans to facilitate the respiratory system. 4. Biotic components such as animals and plants have benefits such as sources of energy and nutrients for the human body. 5. The environment has natural resources that humans can utilize for daily life such as minerals, petroleum, coal, and so on. 6. Microorganisms such as decomposing bacteria are needed because they have a very important role in the ecosystem, which can be as decomposers of body parts of living things that have died. 7. Water is one of the environmental components that has a vital role in human life, such as for drinking, bathing, irrigation, and others. Purpose of Environment Utilization Every environmental utilization carried out by humans has at least several objectives, namely: 1. Achieving harmony, harmony, and balance between humans and the environment. 2. The realization of humans as living beings who have the attitude and behavior to protect and foster the environment. 3. Securing the interests of present and future generations. 4. Achieving the preservation of environmental functions. 5. Controlling the wise use of resources. 6. Protecting Indonesia from external impacts that can cause environmental pollution or damage.