Diagram the mechanism by which CRISPR–Cas functions in the immune system of bacteria and archaea.
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
15. Genomes and Genomics
Genomics and Human Medicine
Problem 11
Textbook Question
Describe the human genome in terms of genome size, the percentage of the genome that codes for proteins, how much is composed of repetitive sequences, and how many genes it contains. Describe two other features of the human genome.

1
The human genome consists of approximately 3.2 billion base pairs of DNA, which is the total genome size.
Only about 1-2% of the human genome codes for proteins, meaning the majority of the genome does not directly encode proteins.
Repetitive sequences make up a significant portion of the human genome, accounting for roughly 50% of the total genome. These include transposable elements and other repetitive DNA sequences.
The human genome contains approximately 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes, which are responsible for producing the proteins necessary for cellular function and development.
Two additional features of the human genome include: (1) the presence of non-coding RNA genes, which play regulatory roles, and (2) the existence of structural variations, such as copy number variations, which contribute to genetic diversity and can influence traits or susceptibility to diseases.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Genome Size
The human genome consists of approximately 3 billion base pairs of DNA, which are organized into 23 pairs of chromosomes. This vast amount of genetic material encodes the instructions necessary for the development, functioning, and reproduction of humans. Understanding genome size is crucial for grasping the complexity and diversity of genetic information in humans.
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Genomics Overview
Protein-Coding Genes
Only about 1-2% of the human genome is made up of protein-coding genes, which are sequences of DNA that provide the instructions for synthesizing proteins. Despite the small percentage, these genes play vital roles in various biological processes. The majority of the genome consists of non-coding regions, which can have regulatory functions or be involved in structural roles.
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Proteins
Repetitive Sequences
Repetitive sequences make up a significant portion of the human genome, estimated to be around 50% or more. These sequences can include tandem repeats, transposable elements, and other repetitive DNA that do not code for proteins. While their exact functions are still being studied, they are thought to play roles in genome stability, regulation, and evolution.
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Sequencing Difficulties
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