Genome vs. Gene — What's the Difference?

Reflects the complexity of life.

Codes for proteins or RNA.

Basis for genomic studies.

Can be dominant or recessive.

Varies in size across species.

Subject to mutations.

The entirety of an organism's genetic material.

Plays a role in inherited traits.

Includes both genes and non-coding DNA.

A unit of heredity in living organisms.

In the fields of molecular biology and genetics, a genome is all genetic material of an organism. It consists of DNA (or RNA in RNA viruses).

In biology, a gene (from genos (Greek) meaning generation or birth or gender) is a basic unit of heredity and a sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that encodes the synthesis of a gene product, either RNA or protein.During gene expression, the DNA is first copied into RNA. The RNA can be directly functional or be the intermediate template for a protein that performs a function. The transmission of genes to an organism's offspring is the basis of the inheritance of phenotypic traits.

The total genetic content contained in a haploid set of chromosomes in eukaryotes, in a single chromosome in bacteria or archaea, or in the DNA or RNA of viruses.

(in informal use) a unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring

An organism's genetic material.

A hereditary unit consisting of a sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location on a chromosome and is transcribed into an RNA molecule that may function directly or be translated into an amino acid chain. Genes undergo mutation when their DNA sequences change.

(genetics) The complete genetic information (either DNA or, in some viruses, RNA) of an organism.

(genetics) A theoretical unit of heredity of living organisms; a gene may take several values and in principle predetermines a precise trait of an organism's form (phenotype), such as hair color.

The ordering of genes in a haploid set of chromosomes of a particular organism; the full DNA sequence of an organism;

(molecular biology) A segment of DNA or RNA from a cell's or an organism's genome, that may take several forms and thus parameterizes a phenomenon, in general the structure of a protein; locus.

(genetics) a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity;

Genomes differ in size, complexity, and content across different organisms, reflecting the diversity of life.

Genes contain the instructions for synthesizing proteins, which perform a wide range of functions in the body.

A gene is a segment of DNA that encodes the information necessary to produce a protein or RNA molecule, influencing specific traits or functions.

Yes, genomes can undergo mutations and recombination, leading to genetic variation within a population.

Genetics focuses on the study of individual genes and their effects on inheritance, while genomics examines the entire genome and its interactions.

Yes, a phenomenon known as pleiotropy occurs when one gene influences multiple, seemingly unrelated traits.

Environmental factors can influence gene expression and trigger genetic predispositions to certain conditions.

Genes are inherited from both parents, with each parent contributing one allele for every gene, which can result in various trait expressions.

A genome is the complete set of an organism's DNA, including all of its genes and non-coding sequences.

Genes are crucial for determining an organism's traits, including physical characteristics, behavior, and susceptibility to diseases.

Non-coding regions regulate gene expression, influence the genome's structure, and contribute to its evolution.

A genetic mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of a gene, which can affect the gene's function.

Gene therapy is a medical technique that involves modifying genes within an individual's cells to treat or prevent disease.

Studying genomes helps scientists understand the genetic basis of diseases, evolution, and biological diversity, leading to advances in medicine and biology.

Genomes are sequenced using technologies that read the sequences of DNA bases in an organism's genetic material.