using genome projects recombinant

Question 1

1. What is meant by a genome?

Answer 1

All the genes in a cell/organism;

Question 2

2. What is meant by the proteome?

Answer 2

The full range of proteins a cell is able to produce coded for in the cells DNA.

Question 3

3. What organisms have had their genomes sequenced.

Answer 3

A wide range of different organisms, including humans.

Question 4

4. What is the benefit of sequencing simpler organisms?

Answer 4

It allows the sequences of the proteins that derive from the genetic code (the proteome) of the organism to be determined. This may be used in the identification of potential antigens for use in vaccine production.

Question 5

5. Why is it more difficult to determine the proteome of more complex organisms?

Answer 5

Prokaryotes do not have non-coding regions of DNA, therefore their proteome can easily be determined. In eukaryotes there are non-coding regions between genes and within genes (introns) which means the knowledge of the genome cannot easily be translated into the proteome.

Question 6

6. How is a genome sequenced?

Answer 6

Genome sequencing has become automated, and is continuously updated. This means it is much faster than it used to be.