A gene is fundamentally defined as a specific segment of DNA that contains the necessary information to produce a functional product. This functional product can be a protein or an RNA molecule that performs a particular role within the cell. It is important to understand that not all genes encode proteins; some genes encode functional RNA molecules such as tRNA or rRNA, which are crucial in protein synthesis.

The other options are incorrect because:
- Option 2 describes a protein, not a gene.

- Option 3 refers to RNA molecules involved in protein synthesis, but these are products of genes, not definitions of genes themselves.

- Option 4 refers to chromosomes, which are larger structures composed of DNA and proteins, and are not individual genes.

In summary, a gene is best described as a DNA segment encoding a functional product, highlighting its role as the fundamental unit of heredity and molecular function.

Reference: Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th Edition, Chapter 2