The genetic material in the nucleus of a cell is a chemical called DNA. DNA is a polymer made up of two strands that form a double helix. The DNA is contained in structures called chromosomes. A gene is a small section of DNA on a chromosome. Each gene codes for a particular sequence of amino acids, which makes a specific protein.
The genome of an organism is the entire genetic material of that organism. The whole human genome has now been studied, and this will be very important for medicine in the future. It helps scientists to search for genes linked to different types of disease. It helps with understanding and treating inherited disorders. It can also be used to trace human migration patterns from the past.
