Genetics
Genome
The complete set of genetic instructions in an organism, encoded in DNA (or RNA in some viruses). The genome includes all genes plus non-coding sequences.
Biological Context
Human genomes contain about 3 billion base pairs and 20,000 genes. Genome size doesn't correlate with organism complexity—some salamanders have genomes 40 times larger than humans. Genomics studies whole-genome patterns and functions.
Business Application
The organizational genome: the complete set of encoded instructions that define what the organization can do. Processes, policies, culture, and institutional knowledge form the business genome. Genome mapping reveals hidden capabilities and constraints.