A genome is like an instruction manual. It contains all of the specific instructions it takes to build a living organism. All species have their own genome. A copy of your genome is found in almost every single cell in your body. A genome is divided into chromosomes. Chromosomes are like packages that safely store genes and keep them organized. Genes are made up of DNA. DNA contains the important information about every living thing.

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All species have their own genome. There is a tomato genome, a goldfish genome, a human genome, etc... A copy of your genome is found in almost every single cell in your body. In each of these cells there is a nucleus. In humans, each nucleus typically contains two combined genomes. One coming from your mother and one from you father. Typically, in each human genome is 23 pairs of chromosomes. Inside the 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans, there are a combined 20,000 to 25,000 genes. In the human genome there are around 3 billion DNA bases.

Genomics is the study of sequence, structure and function of the genome. Within a species the genes of individuals will vary. These variations in genes are called alleles.

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