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77 Genomes
Key Idea: A genome is an organism’s complete set of genetic
material, including all of its genes. The genomes of many
organisms have been sequenced, allowing genes to be
compared. These can be searched for on gene databases.
The aim of most genome projects is to determine the
DNA sequence of the organism’s entire genome. Many
different species have now had their genomes sequenced
including the honeybee, nematode worm, African clawed
frog, pufferfish, zebra fish, rice, cow, dog, and rat. Genome
sizes and the number of genes per genome vary, and are not
necessarily correlated with the size and structural complexity
of the organism. Once completed, genome sequences are
analysed by computer to identify genes. Gene sequences
and details are often entered into online databases that can
be searched by anyone wishing to find out information about
a particular gene. Genbank® is one such database.

*Mb = megabase pairs

or 1,000,000 bp

Artist's impression

Bacterium Yeast Human Rice

(Escherichia coli)
Genome size: 4.6 Mb*
Number of genes: 4403
E. coli has been used as a
laboratory organism for over
70 years. Various strains of E.
coli are responsible for several
human diseases.
(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
Genome size: 13 Mb
Number of genes: 6000
The first eukaryotic genome to
be completely sequenced. Yeast
is used as a model organism to
study human cancer.
(Homo sapiens)
Genome size: 3000 Mb
Number of genes: < 22,500
The completion of the human
genome has allowed advances
in medical research, especially
in cancer research.
(Oryza sativa)
Genome size: 466 Mb (indica)
and 420 Mb (japonica)
Number of genes: 46,000
A food staple for much of the
world’s population.The
importance of rice as a world food
crop made sequencing it a high
priority.

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Mouse Fruit fly Japanese canopy plant T2 phage

(Mus musculus) (Drosophila melanogaster) (Paris japonica) Genome size: 160,000 bp
Genome size: 2500 Mb Genome size: 150 Mb Genome size: 149,000 Mb Number of genes: Approx. 300
Number of genes: 30,000 Number of genes: 14,000 This rare native Japanese T2 phage is one of a group of
New drugs destined for human Drosophila has been used plant has the largest genome related T-even phages that infect
use are often tested on mice extensively for genetic studies sequenced so far (15% larger bacteria. Analysis of these phages
because more than 90% of their for many years. About 50% of all than any previous estimate for indicates a small core genome
proteins show similarities to fly proteins show similarities to a eukaryote). Plants with very with variations being the result of
human proteins. mammalian proteins. large genomes reproduce and genetic transfers during evolution.
grow slowly.
1. For each organism below, calculate how much smaller or larger the genome is than the human genome:
(a) Japanese canopy plant:
(b) E. coli:
(c) T2 phage:
2. Plants with very large genome sizes are at higher risk of extinction. Can you suggest why?

3. Access Genbank® through the Weblinks page for this book and use it to answer the following:
(a) The number of base pairs in human mitochondrial DNA:
(b) The number of bases on human chromosome 1:
(c) The guanine/cytosine percentage (GC%) in human chromosome 1:
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