molecular genetics [L, molecula, small mass; Gk, genesis, origin] , the branch of genetics that focuses on the chemical structure and the functions, replication, and mutations of the molecules involved in the transmission of genetic information, namely DNA and RNA. Molecular genetics is concerned with the arrangement of genes on DNA, the replication of DNA, the transcription of DNA into RNA, and the translation of RNA into proteins. Also called biochemical genetics. See also recombinant DNA.
