Which phrase best describes the term genome? a. the genetic makeup of a chromosome b. the genes that make up an organism c. the location of a specific set of genes d. the sum of an organism’s physical traits Group of answer choices
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is b. the genes that make up an organism.
Explanation:
The term genome refers to the complete set of genetic material (DNA) in an organism, including all of its genes. The genome contains all the information necessary to build and maintain that organism, and it is composed of the DNA found in the cell’s chromosomes. In humans, the genome consists of around 3 billion base pairs of DNA that make up about 20,000-25,000 genes. These genes code for proteins, which in turn are responsible for the development, functioning, and regulation of the body’s cells, tissues, and organs.
Let’s break down the incorrect options:
- a. the genetic makeup of a chromosome: This is incorrect because a genome is not limited to a single chromosome but refers to all of the chromosomes in an organism. It encompasses the entire collection of genetic material.
- c. the location of a specific set of genes: This option is also incorrect. While the genome includes the location of specific genes on chromosomes, it is much more than just the location—it represents the entire set of genetic information, not just where specific genes are located.
- d. the sum of an organism’s physical traits: This is not the definition of a genome. Physical traits are determined by the expression of genes, but the genome refers to the entire collection of genes and not directly to the traits they produce.
Thus, the genome is best defined as the complete set of genes that make up an organism, which is the definition given by option b.
