What term is used to describe the full genetic material inherited by an organism?

What term is used to describe the full genetic material inherited by an organism?

• A. Trait
• B. Genome
• C. Gene
• D. Allele

Answer: (B)

The full genetic material inherited by an organism is the genome. The genome comprises the entire set of genetic material, including all genes and the noncoding regions, encoded in the organism’s DNA (or RNA in some viruses). This distinguishes it from a gene, which is a specific sequence that typically encodes a product; an allele, which is a variant form of a gene; and a trait, which is an observable characteristic influenced by genes and the environment. So the genome is the complete hereditary blueprint passed from parent to offspring.

The full genetic material inherited by an organism is the genome. The genome comprises the entire set of genetic material, including all genes and the noncoding regions, encoded in the organism’s DNA (or RNA in some viruses). This distinguishes it from a gene, which is a specific sequence that typically encodes a product; an allele, which is a variant form of a gene; and a trait, which is an observable characteristic influenced by genes and the environment. So the genome is the complete hereditary blueprint passed from parent to offspring.