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DNA usually occurs as linear chromosomes in eukaryotes, and circular chromosomes in prokaryotes. The set of chromosomes in a cell makes up its genome; the human genome has approximately 3 billion base pairs of DNA arranged into 46 chromosomes. [96] The information carried by DNA is held in the sequence of pieces of DNA called genes.
The DNA sequence assembly alone is of little value without additional analysis. [9] Genome annotation is the process of attaching biological information to sequences, and consists of three main steps: [68] identifying portions of the genome that do not code for proteins; identifying elements on the genome, a process called gene prediction, and
Genes are made from a long molecule called DNA, which is copied and inherited across generations. DNA is made of simple units that line up in a particular order within it, carrying genetic information. The language used by DNA is called genetic code, which lets organisms read the information in the genes. This information is the instructions ...
The code is read by copying stretches of DNA into the related nucleic acid RNA in a process called transcription. Within cells, DNA is organized into long sequences called chromosomes. During cell division these chromosomes are duplicated in the process of DNA replication, providing each cell its own complete set of chromosomes.
Most eukaryotes are diploid, meaning that there are two of each chromosome in the nucleus but the 'genome' refers to only one copy of each chromosome. Some eukaryotes have distinctive sex chromosomes, such as the X and Y chromosomes of mammals, so the technical definition of the genome must include both copies of the sex chromosomes.
Most organisms have the same genomic DNA in every cell; however, only certain genes are active in each cell to allow for cell function and differentiation within the body. [2] gDNA predominantly resides in the cell nucleus packed into dense chromosome structures. Chromatin refers to the combination of DNA and proteins that make up chromosomes.
It assists the body with energy production, DNA repair, and overall cellular health, says Dr. Gmyrek, and research has also found that it plays a key role in regulating metabolism and circadian ...
This is an accepted version of this page This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 11 January 2025. Science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms This article is about the general scientific term. For the scientific journal, see Genetics (journal). For a more accessible and less technical introduction to this topic, see Introduction to genetics. For the Meghan Trainor ...