The Human Genome Project

Question 1

What is a genome?

Answer 1

• the complete set of genetic instructions necessary to create an organism

Question 2

What is the Human Genome Project (HGP)?

Answer 2

• an international scientific research project set up in 1990

Question 3

What are the primary goals of the HGP?

Answer 3

• to determine the sequence of chemical base pairs which make up human DNA (DNA sequencing)
• to identify and map all the genes of the human genome from both a physical and functional point of view

Question 4

What is the importance of learning more about the functions of genes and proteins?

Answer 4

• it has a major impact on the fields of medicine, biotechnology and life sciences
• e.g. genes have been discovered that are linked to Alzheimer’s, bad cholesterol and heart disease and breast cancer association