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Genome - GCSE Biology Definition

Reviewed by: Naomi Holyoak

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What is the genome?

In GCSE biology, the genome of an organism is its entire genetic material, or DNA. The genome contains all the information needed to build proteins, allowing cells to function. Almost every cell contains a complete copy of an organism’s genome in the form of chromosomes, for example human cells contain the human genome in 46 chromosomes.

In eukaryotic organisms, such as animal and plant cells, the genome is primarily stored in linear chromosomes in the nucleus, while bacterial cells have a single circular chromosome that is present in the cytoplasm.

Diagram illustrating a DNA double helix, a DNA strand, and a cell nucleus with chromosomes, showing their interrelations and descriptions.
The genome is the entire DNA of an organism, stored in the form of chromosomes

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Naomi Holyoak

Reviewer: Naomi Holyoak

Expertise: Biology Content Creator

Naomi graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has 8 years of classroom experience teaching Key Stage 3 up to A-Level biology, and is currently a tutor and A-Level examiner. Naomi especially enjoys creating resources that enable students to build a solid understanding of subject content, while also connecting their knowledge with biology’s exciting, real-world applications.

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