genome
C1Scientific, Academic, Technical
Definition
Meaning
The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.
In computing, a digital representation of a genome or a complete set of data representing the structure and composition of a system.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally used strictly in genetics and molecular biology. Now commonly extended metaphorically to describe the 'blueprint' or foundational code of any complex system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Pronunciation may vary slightly as per standard accent differences.
Connotations
Identical; carries strong connotations of cutting-edge science, modern biology, and medical research in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent and essential in scientific discourse. Slightly less common in everyday conversation in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the genome of NPNP's genomesequence/analyse/edit + NP + genomeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The book of life (metaphor for the genome)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in biotech/startup contexts: 'Our company specialises in genome analysis.'
Academic
Very common in biology, medicine, and related sciences: 'The paper discusses variation within the canine genome.'
Everyday
Limited, often in news about health or ancestry: 'I sent my DNA off to learn about my genome.'
Technical
Core technical term in genetics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology: 'CRISPR was used to introduce a mutation into the genome.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Scientists aim to genome the entire species collection.
- The project will genome a hundred ancient specimens.
American English
- The lab is working to genome the rare plant.
- New technologies allow us to genome organisms more quickly.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Scientists study the human genome to understand diseases.
- The mapping of the human genome was a major scientific achievement.
- Genome sequencing can reveal a person's risk for certain hereditary conditions.
- Comparative analysis of the Neanderthal genome suggests interbreeding with modern humans.
- The ethical implications of genome editing in embryos are hotly debated by bioethicists.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of GENOME as the GENetic Owner's Manual for an organism.
Conceptual Metaphor
The genome is a blueprint, a book, a map, a recipe, or a computer program for building and running an organism.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'геномный' for all contexts; 'genome' is a noun. In Russian, 'геном' (genom) is the direct equivalent noun.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'g' (like 'go'). The 'g' is soft, like in 'gene'.
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'genome data' is acceptable, but 'genome' itself is not an adjective; the adjective is 'genomic').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary field of study for the term 'genome'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A gene is a single unit of heredity. The genome is the complete set of all genes (and non-coding DNA) in an organism.
Yes, in technical contexts, especially in bioinformatics, 'to genome' means to sequence and determine the genome of an organism.
DNA is the chemical molecule that carries genetic information. The genome refers to the specific, complete sequence or set of that DNA for a given organism.
The adjective is 'genomic', as in 'genomic data', 'genomic sequencing'.
Collections
Part of a collection
Scientific Terminology
C1 · 44 words · Precise vocabulary used in scientific disciplines.