Related Terms

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Background

• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is located in a compartment of the cell called the nucleus and is packaged in structures called chromosomes. Human cells each contain 46 chromosomes (23 pair), and each chromosome contains hundreds of genes. Genes contain the instructions for making the proteins that do the work in the human body. Chromosomes also contain many other regulatory sequences or instructions that control how much of a gene will be made, when it will be made, and where in the body it will be made. An individual's genome is the sum total of the information contained in an individual's chromosomes.
• DNA contains four different chemical compounds called bases. These bases include cytosine, thymine, guanine, and adenine. In any given person, these bases are found in a particular order along the chromosomes, and it is the order of these bases that stores information for making genes. Even though the DNA sequences of individuals are similar (on average, DNA is about 99.9% identical between any two people), the differences in DNA are important.
• Comparative genomics is an approach that can be used to compare the genomic DNA sequence of two or more different species or organisms. For example, researchers have compared the genomic DNA sequence of humans to that of chimpanzees.
• The genomic DNA sequence of an organism is the DNA sequence of every chromosome that an organism has. For example, humans have a total of 24 unique chromosomes (chromosomes 1 through 22, as well as the X and Y sex chromosomes). Therefore, the genomic DNA sequence of a human is the sequence of all 24 of these chromosomes.
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Methods

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Research

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Implications

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Limitations

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Safety

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Future Research

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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