Every organism’s life is controlled by a set of chromosomes the total information of which is called the genome.

A genome is the totality of the DNA code which resides within each cell and controls the major characteristics of an organism. In organisms of the same kind, the basic outline of a genome will be very similar, with many important genes being identical. However, each individual will exhibit some differences which determine variations like size and colour. Different kinds of organisms will exhibit greater differences between their respective genomes.

Related Resources

• Introducing You (human genome)
• Why the human genome was never completed (BBC Future. Michael Marshall. 12 February 2023.)