Genomes

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Genomes

A Genome (/ˈdʒiː.noʊm/; from the ancient Greek γενομή, genomé, "gene") is the genetic material of an organism. It consists of DNA (or RNA in RNA viruses). The genome includes both the genes (the coding regions) and the noncoding DNA, as well as the genetic material of the mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Etymology

The term "genome" was created in 1920 by Hans Winkler, professor of botany at the University of Hamburg, Germany. The Oxford Dictionary suggests the name is a blend of the words gene and chromosome.

Structure

The structure of a genome is characterized by its length, the number of chromosomes it contains, and its organization into coding and noncoding regions. The length of a genome is usually measured in base pairs (bp), kilobases (kb), or megabases (Mb).

Genomic Sequencing

Genomic sequencing is a process that determines the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome at a single time. This entails sequencing all of an organism's chromosomal DNA as well as DNA contained in the mitochondria and, for plants, in the chloroplast.

Genomic Variation

Genomic variation is the difference in the genetic makeup of an organism. It is the measure of the genome variability or genomic diversity in a population. Genomic variation includes changes in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's genome.

Related Terms

  • Genetics - The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms.
  • Genomics - An interdisciplinary field of biology focusing on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of genomes.
  • Genomic Medicine - An emerging medical discipline that involves using genomic information about an individual as part of their clinical care.
  • Genomic Data - Information about the structure, content, and evolution of genomes.
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