Which term describes the entire DNA sequence of an organism?

• A. Gene
• B. Chromosome
• C. Nucleotide
• D. Genome

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the basic definitions: A 'gene' is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building a specific protein or set of proteins. A 'chromosome' is a long DNA molecule with part or all of the genetic material of an organism. A 'nucleotide' is the basic building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of a base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.
2. Recognize that the term 'genome' refers to the complete set of DNA, including all of its genes, in an organism. It encompasses all the genetic material present in the chromosomes.
3. Differentiate between the terms: While a gene is a part of the genome, and chromosomes are structures that contain the genome, the genome itself is the entirety of an organism's hereditary information encoded in DNA.
4. Consider the context: When asked about the entire DNA sequence of an organism, the term that best fits this description is 'genome' because it includes all genetic material.
5. Conclude that the term 'genome' is the most appropriate choice to describe the entire DNA sequence of an organism, as it includes all genes and non-coding sequences within the DNA.