What is the basic unit of inheritance in horses?

The basic unit of inheritance in horses is genes. Genes are segments of DNA that contain the instructions for building and functioning proteins, which ultimately determine the traits and characteristics of an organism. In horses, as in other living organisms, genes are responsible for the inheritance of many traits, such as coat color, height, and temperament.

While DNA, chromosomes, and proteins are all related to heredity, they serve different roles within the framework of genetic inheritance. DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information, chromosomes are structures made of DNA that contain many genes and are found in the nucleus of cells, and proteins are the products that genes direct the synthesis of, influencing traits. However, genes themselves are the fundamental units of heredity that directly dictate the transmission of traits from one generation to the next. Therefore, identifying genes as the basic units of inheritance provides a clear understanding of how traits are passed on in horses and other organisms.