Your genome is your complete set of DNA – all the genetic instructions for you to grow, develop and function. These genetic instructions are encoded in 6 billion letters of DNA across 46 chromosomes that we inherit from our parents – 23 from each parent. Copies of your genome are contained within your cells.
Your genome includes all of your genes – sections of DNA that cells use as templates to make proteins and other molecules you need to function.
Each set of three nucleotides in a gene corresponds to a particular amino acid – when the cells of your body read the sequence of a gene, the corresponding amino acids are assembled into a chain to make a protein.
Coding and non-coding DNA
Only about 1% of your genome is made up of protein-coding genes. The rest of the genome is made up of non-coding DNA, which does not encode functional proteins. This non-coding DNA has other important functions, like regulating how and when genes are used, and controlling the transcription and translation of genes.
Gene regulation
DNA contains sequences that can switch genes on or off – a process that can help a cell carry out specific functions. These sequences can sometimes be found far away from the gene they control. This regulation of genes often occurs at the stage of transcription – the first step in decoding the information in DNA to make a specific product. Some examples of molecules and DNA regions involved in gene regulation are enhancers, promoters and silencers.
Epigenetics
Epigenetic changes regulate genes without modifying the DNA sequence itself. An example of this is methylation, where chemicals called methyl groups are added at certain points in the DNA sequence. These methyl groups act as signals that the gene is switched off or silenced, and cannot be transcribed. Genes can also be regulated by how tightly they are wound around proteins called histones.