| Our genome is involved in every aspect of our behaviour and
bodily processes - seeing, breathing, digesting, walking, talking,
sleeping, even thinking.
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 Anatomical
drawing by Leonardo Da Vinci, 1507.
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The genome is necessary, but by itself is not enough to determine
everything about us. Our surroundings, including physical, nutritional,
social and cultural environments, also influence how we act or even
how we look.
Each individual human has a slightly different version of the human
genome. But we differ by only about two-hundredths of one percent.
In order to decode the human genome, researchers separate human
DNA into manageable fragments and apply chemical processes in order
to identify the sequence of the bases
(A, T, C, G). The sequencing process is like "identifying the
pieces and arranging them like pieces of a puzzle" [Source:
Riverdeep Interactive Learning Limited].
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X-ray
of human lungs. |
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Studying the human genome can help us learn more about the function
of humans and other organisms. It may help us better understand
why some people develop certain diseases, and help us develop more
effective treatments.
Find out more about the human
genome. |
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