Short answer
A gene is an identifiable functional DNA sequence. A genome is the complete set of DNA, including all genes and sequences between and around them. “The gene” narrows attention to one functional unit; “the genome” widens it to the full collection. 1 2
A gene is one functional part of a genome; a genome includes all genes plus other DNA.
On this page
At a glance
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| Question | Gene | Genome |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | One functional sequence | Complete DNA set |
| Includes non-gene DNA? | No, by this definition | Yes |
| Typical question | What does this sequence produce? | What DNA is present overall? |
The table summarizes the cited definitions and the article’s stated scope. 1 2
What each thing is
Gene. A DNA sequence producing a functional product, including a functional RNA. 1
Genome. The complete set of DNA instructions in an organism or cell, including genes and other sequences. 2
Key differences
Genes are often discussed one at a time because a particular sequence can be associated with a product or trait. Genomics asks broader questions about the whole sequence and its organization, variation and interactions. A genome is not merely a list of protein-coding genes. 1 2
How to tell them apart
Use gene for a specific functional sequence or locus. Use genome when the claim concerns all of the genetic material in the stated organism or cell. If a report says “whole-genome sequencing,” it signals the breadth of the analysis, not that every sequence has a known function. 1 2
Where they overlap
A gene belongs to a genome. Both may be studied by sequencing DNA and both vary among individuals. 1 2
Edge cases
The human genome includes mitochondrial as well as nuclear DNA; specifying which genome or assembly matters in technical work. Viruses can have RNA genomes, so the everyday DNA wording here should not be projected onto every biological entity. 1 2
Why the distinction exists
The distinction lets biology separate a unit with a particular product from the entirety of genetic information. It prevents a finding about one locus from being presented as a claim about all DNA. 1 2
Common misconceptions
“Genome” does not mean the most important gene or the collection of genes alone. Non-gene sequences are part of it. 1 2
Examples
Studying one gene linked to a disease asks a focused question. Comparing two people’s genomes looks across their complete DNA sets, which may include differences far from that gene. 1 2
Sources
Sources checked October 3, 2026.
- National Human Genome Research Institute — Gene. Definition and narration.
- National Human Genome Research Institute — Genome. Definition.