The total genetic material of an organism is known as?

Appeared in: UPRVUNL - 2021

Explanation

The genome is defined as the complete set of genetic instructions for an organism.
It includes all of the DNA (or RNA in some viruses) found in a cell.
This encompasses both the coding regions (genes) and the non-coding regions of the DNA.
In humans, the genome comprises the DNA in the 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus and the mitochondrial DNA.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option B: Genotype refers to the specific genetic makeup or the set of alleles an individual possesses for a particular trait or set of traits. It is a subset of the genome, not the total genetic material.
Option C: Genetics is the branch of biology that studies genes, heredity, and the variation of inherited characteristics. It is a field of study, not the genetic material itself.
Option D: A gene is a specific segment of DNA that serves as the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. It is a single component of the genome, not the total genetic material.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definitions of fundamental genetic terms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the term 'genome' is fundamental to genomic medicine, which uses an individual's genomic information for clinical care, including diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Nurses play a crucial role in genetic counseling, helping patients understand their genetic risks for diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes based on their genomic profile.
What if? - If a patient's genomic analysis reveals a variation in a gene that metabolizes a specific drug (pharmacogenomics), the nurse must anticipate the need for a dose adjustment to prevent toxicity or ensure efficacy and educate the patient accordingly.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core concept in the question: it asks for the term describing the 'total genetic material'.
Analyze each option's definition. A 'gene' is a part, not the whole. 'Genetics' is the study, not the material. 'Genotype' is an individual's specific version of genes.
Recall the definition of 'genome' as the complete set of genetic material.
Select the option that matches the definition of the complete set of an organism's genetic information.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Definitions of fundamental genetic terms
Stem keywords: total genetic material, organism
Lead-in keywords: known as

Question ID

QUNcWDOFFoQ-SGL9S9f2Yn

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 884-886, 886-888

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 4-12

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