A scientific article by Prof. Dr. Nasser Abdul Hassan Nasser titled Genome – The Chemical Map of Life Date: 04/05/2025 | Views: 314

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The genome is the complete set of genetic instructions encoded in the DNA of every living organism. Much like a biological “blueprint,” the genome determines the structure, function, and behavior of all cells and systems. It serves as the fundamental guide for building and maintaining life, using a language made of chemical codes—specifically the sequences of nucleotides: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).

The Genome and Biochemistry:
Biochemistry is the science that explores the chemical processes within and related to living organisms. The genome plays a crucial role in directing these processes:
1. DNA → RNA → Protein:
o This central dogma of molecular biology explains how the genome controls life.
o Genes (segments of DNA) are transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA), which is then translated into proteins.
o Proteins perform nearly all biochemical functions, from catalyzing reactions (enzymes) to transporting molecules and transmitting signals.
2. Proteins as Biochemical Workhorses:
o Each gene encodes a specific protein, and the shape and function of that protein are determined by its amino acid sequence.
o Proteins control everything from metabolism and immune response to cellular repair and reproduction.
3. Enzymatic Control and Regulation:
o Enzymes, produced based on genomic instructions, accelerate chemical reactions essential for life.
o Gene regulation ensures that the right enzymes are produced at the right time and in the right amount.
Mutations and Chemical Consequences:
Genetic mutations—changes in the DNA sequence—can lead to the production of faulty proteins, disrupting normal biochemical reactions. For example:
• In cystic fibrosis, a mutation in the CFTR gene alters the protein that regulates chloride transport, causing thick mucus buildup in the lungs.
• In phenylketonuria (PKU), a gene mutation affects an enzyme that breaks down the amino acid phenylalanine, leading to toxic buildup.

Conclusion:
The genome is more than just a genetic code—it is a detailed chemical map of life. It provides the instructions that allow cells to perform thousands of coordinated biochemical reactions. Understanding the genome, therefore, is key to understanding life itself, as well as diagnosing and treating genetic and metabolic diseases.