1.6.18

DNA

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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 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.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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