Human genome project

Genome: It is defined as the totality of the DNA sequences of an organism. Each species has a characteristic number of chromosomes in the nuclei of its gametes and somatic cells. The gametic chromosome number constitutes a basic set of chromosomes called genome. In all organisms it is made up of DNA except viruses which have either DNA or RNA.

Homo sapiens (human beings) have 23 genome. The genome size of an individual is expressed in terms of number of base pairs either in kilobases(1000bp) or in megabases(one million bp)

Thus in human beings

Size of the genome in megabase pairs =3,300.00

Approximate number of genes = 30,000 - 40,000

In human beings the genome is involved in biochemical activities like synthesis of immunological proteins, receiving and giving signals related to cellular activities and in the functioning of the cell.

The function of 30,000 to 40,000 human genes are known.

Thus genome is all the DNA of the organism. DNA is made up of 4 nitrogenous bases namely Adenine, Cytosine Thymine and Guanine. There are 3 billion pair of these base.

Many ethical issues have been raised in the development of human genome project. However this research has been done successfully and proceeding too. This can help a lot in various fields like medicine, biochemistry, bioinformatics, etc. Thus in 2003 the human genome has been mapped completely.