Secrets of the human genome

Question 1

What is a genome?

Answer 1

All the coding genetic material in an organism, population, or species

Question 2

What is genomics?

Answer 2

The study of entire genomes, often using technology to compare genes within and between species

Question 3

What is genome sequencing?

Answer 3

Identifying every DNA base pair that composes a genome, a key aspect of genomics

Question 4

What is the Human Genome Project?

Answer 4

An international cooperative effort to sequence the human genome, involving over 20 laboratories across six countries

Question 5

How many DNA base pairs were sequenced in the Human Genome Project?

Answer 5

2.9 billion DNA base pairs

Question 6

What are the benefits of the Human Genome Project?

Answer 6

1. Identifying the base sequence of every human gene
2. Deducing possible genetic mutations

Question 7

When was the Human Genome Project finalized?

Answer 7

In 2003

Question 8

What percentage of human DNA codes for proteins?

Answer 8

Less than 2%

Question 9

What is “junk DNA”?

Answer 9

Non-coding DNA that does not appear to code for proteins, making up most of the human genome

Question 10

How genetically similar are humans?

Answer 10

99.9% of DNA is identical between any two individuals

Question 11

What is a surprising finding about human genes?

Answer 11

Many human genes are identical to those of other species