Biology as a subject treats the genome of any organism, human or animal, as the hereditary information which is stored in the DNA of cells. Occasionally this information is contained in RNA molecules, as in the case of viruses.

The genome includes both parts of the DNA, the genes as well as the non-coding part. Genome as a term was first used by Winkler while teaching in Hamburg. The Oxford Dictionary has chosen to define genome as blend of two words, gene & chromosome. To be a little more focused, genome refers to the complete genetic sequence inscribed on a set of chromosomes of any organism. For instance, 1 out of 2 sets which form a genetic sequence are carried in all somatic cells in the body. This word genome maybe used in the specific context to imply the stored information on a complete set of DNA sequence in the nucleus.

When we usually talk about the sequencing of specific genome of a sexually reproducing animal, we are actually talking about the determination of the sequences of a particular set of autosomes as well as 1 of sex chromosome. These two together are responsible for the sex of an organism.

The term genetic makeup is in particular case used to imply the genome of an organism which speaking. Genomics is the term used to refer to the examination of the properties of genomes of organisms.

Term papers as well as research papers on genomes are typically assigned to both undergraduate and masters level students depending on the university and the type of course undertaken. Ph. D. level candidates are also sometimes required to come up with genome related research.