Genome is the complete DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sequence of an organism, that is, the set of all genes of a living being. Studying the genome is like studying the molecular anatomy of a species.
→ What is a gene?
DNA is a molecule made up of nucleotides whose function is to store genetic information in the sequence of their nitrogenous bases. You genes they are commonly defined as stretches of DNA that present the information necessary for the production of proteins. It is noteworthy that genes also include nucleotide sequences necessary for the synthesis of other types of RNA.
→ Why is it important to know the genome of an organism?
Knowing the genes of a species can provide valuable information about a living being, the normal processes that take place in it, and even the genes that can trigger disease. In the case of human beings, genetic tests that analyze an individual's genome can provide information about diseases that have not yet manifested themselves and the possible risks of developing the disease. Thus, c
Knowing the genes helps in diagnosis and also in identifying the genetic predisposition to certain problems.In addition to finding possible diseases, knowing the sets of human genes helps in drug creation for different groups of individuals, thus avoiding serious adverse reactions. Knowledge about genes still opens doors for gene therapy, in which normal genes are used to replace the defective ones.
It is noteworthy that knowing the genome of other organisms is also important, as it provides answers to several questions in different fields of science. Genes can show, for example, the evolutionary process and help to create resistant cultures.
→ Human Genome Project
O Human Genome Projectstarted in 1990 and had the objective ofeterminate the sequence of all bases of genomic DNA and identify and map the genes distributed in our 23 pairs of chromosomes. The researchers would store this information in databases and develop tools that would provide a detailed analysis of each one.
At first, it was expected that all these goals would be achieved after 15 years of study. However, with the advancement of technology, the project had its activities completed after 13 years, in 2003.
Among the results obtained in the process, we can highlight the discovery of the 3.2 billion nucleotides that make up the human genome and the identification of the function of about 50% of them. It is also important to highlight that it was possible to conclude that the human genome sequence is 99.9% the same in all individuals.
CURIOSITY:The first genome to be sequenced was the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae, in 1995. Today the genome of several species is known, including that of the human species.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/biologia/o-que-e-genoma.htm