6.1.3

Genome

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The Genome

The genome is the entire (all) genetic material of an organism. Within a genome, there are lots of levels of organisation:

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DNA

  • DNA is a double helix polymer, which means it is a polymer (a large molecule made up of many subunits) made up of two strands forming a twisted, ladder shape.
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Genes

  • A gene is a small section of DNA. Genes code for a sequence of amino acids, which combine to give a specific protein.
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Chromosomes

  • Long strands of DNA are coiled up to form chromosomes.
  • Chromosomes contain many genes.
  • Human body cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, one of each pair coming from each parent.

Is a Gene Bigger than DNA?

A gene is a segment of DNA. But there can be fragments of DNA that are smaller than a gene. This question is like asking whether a city or a community is bigger. They are kind of the same depending on how you define them.

Genome Sequencing

In 2003, the Human Genome Project was completed. Researchers had successfully studied the entire human genome. Since then, extensive research has been carried out on it, resulting in a vast increase in our understanding. Potential future implications (effects) of this advance in knowledge include:

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Gene identification

  • Identifying genes linked to different disorders, allowing those at risk to make informed lifestyle decisions based on the known risk factors.
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Improving understanding of inherited diseases

  • Improving our understanding of the causes of inherited disorders and how we should be treating them.
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Human evolutionary and migratory history

  • Investigating human evolutionary history, including how humans migrated in the past.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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