Human genome

Human genome

The human genome consists of 23 chromosome and the small mitochondrial DNA. 22 of the 23 chromosomes are autosomal chromosome pairs and the last one being a gender-determining pair. In total, the human genome contains the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA and approximately 20,000-25,000 genes. By understanding human genome, scientists are able to develop new medical applications that can significantly advance the state of health care.

Industry: Biology; Medical

Add a new term

Contributors in Human genome

Become a Contributors

Human genome

gene

Medical; Human genome

1) The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein. 2) The basic unit of ...

genotype

Medical; Human genome

1) The genetic constitution of an organism or cell; also refers to the specific set of alleles inherited at a locus 2) A genotype is an individual's collection of genes. The term also can refer to ...

fasciculation

Medical; Human genome

1) Involuntary contraction of the muscle fibers innervated by a motor unit. Fasciculations can often by visualized and take the form of a muscle twitch or dimpling under the skin, but usually do not ...

epigenetic

Medical; Human genome

1) Changes in the regulation of the expression of gene activity without alteration of genetic structure. 2) Of, relating to, or produced by epigenesis. 3) Relating to, being, or involving a ...

gene product

Medical; Human genome

1) Genes are transcribed into segments of RNA (ribonucleic acid), which are translated into proteins. Both RNA and proteins are products of the expression of the gene and, in some cases, can be ...

genomic instability

Medical; Human genome

1) A biological process consisting of chromosomal rearrangements and duplications. These phenotypes are often seen in the karyotype of cancer cells, where there is an imbalance between the ...