Genome size
Genome size
Genome size is the total amount of DNA sequence information in an organism's genome. It is typically measured in terms of the number of base pairs, kilobases (kb), megabases (Mb), or gigabases (Gb).
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒiːnoʊm saɪz/
Etymology: The term "genome" was coined in 1920 by Hans Winkler, a German botanist, from the words "gene" and "chromosome". The term "size" comes from the Old Norse "síza", meaning "to measure".
Overview
The genome size varies widely across different species. For example, the human genome is approximately 3.2 Gb, while the genome of the bacterium Escherichia coli is only about 4.6 Mb. The size of a genome is not necessarily related to the complexity of the organism; this is known as the C-value paradox.
Determination of Genome Size
Genome size can be determined using various methods, including flow cytometry, karyotyping, and DNA sequencing. These methods provide different levels of resolution and can be used to estimate the size of both the entire genome and specific chromosomes.
Factors Influencing Genome Size
Several factors can influence the size of an organism's genome, including the number of genes, the amount of non-coding DNA, and the presence of repetitive DNA sequences. The evolution of genome size is a complex process that involves both increases and decreases in size due to various genetic and evolutionary processes.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Genome size
- Wikipedia's article - Genome size
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