Glossary

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Genome

The full complement of genetic information contained in a cell

Genetic information is stored in the genes of living organisms. Genes are pieces of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).

The human genome, which contains 30,000 to 40,000 genes, has now been sequenced, as have the genomes of around 100 other organisms including the mouse (max. 30,000 genes), the fruit fly (13,000 genes) and arabidopsis thaliana, or thale cress, (25,000 genes).