Chromosomes and genes
DNA
The genetic material in the The nucleus controls what happens inside the cell. Chromosomes are structures found in the nucleus of most cells. The plural of nucleus is nuclei. of a cell is composed of a chemical called Deoxyribonucleic acid. The material inside the nucleus of cells, carrying the genetic information of a living being.. DNA is a polymer, a large and complex molecule. It is made up of two strands forming a twisted ladder structure called a The shape of the DNA molecule, with two strands twisted together in a spiral.. DNA is contained in structures called The structure made of DNA that codes for all the characteristics of an organism..
DNA carries the The code formed by the order of the bases in DNA that determines an organism's characteristics., which determines all the characteristics of a living Living entity, eg animals, plants or microorganisms.. Except for identical twins, each person's DNA is unique.
Genes
A The basic unit of genetic material inherited from our parents. A gene is a section of DNA which controls part of a cell's chemistry - particularly protein production. is a small section of DNA in a chromosome. Each gene carries the code for a particular sequence of The building blocks that make up a protein molecule. required to assemble a specific protein.
A gene is the unit of Genetic information that determines an organism's characteristics, passed on from one generation to another. To do with passing genes to an offspring from its parent or parents., and may be copied and passed on to the next generation.
The diagram shows the relationship between the cell, its nucleus, chromosomes in the nucleus, and genes.
Chromosomes
The cell's nucleus contains chromosomes. These are long threads of DNA, which are made up of many genes. Humans have around 25,000 genes across their 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Genome
The The complete set of DNA found in an organism. of an organism is the entire genetic material of that organism. The sequence of letters in the human genome has been determined, but research is still ongoing. Understanding the human genome has great importance for medicine.
Learn more about DNA and the genome with Dr Alex Lathbridge.
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
In this podcast, learn the key facts about DNA and the genome. Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
