What term refers to all the genetic information in an organism?

Explore the Biological Bases of Behavior Test. Prepare with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, each featuring explanations. Start practicing today!

All the genetic information in an organism is its genome. It includes the full set of genetic material—genes and the noncoding regions that regulate their expression—essentially the complete blueprint stored in the organism’s chromosomes and other genetic material. A genome is what you’d compare to the entire instruction manual for building and operating the organism. A gene is a single unit of heredity that provides instructions for one specific product. A chromosome is a physical structure that carries many genes. A phenotype is the observable traits resulting from gene expression and environment. So the genome best fits the description because it denotes the entire collection of genetic information rather than a single gene, a chromosome, or the expressed traits.