For this week’s infographic, we have done some online research and compared 10 different and common organisms, their genome size, number of genes and number of chromosomes. This interesting comparison help you to understand the complexity of our DNA.
Bacteriophage λ
The genome size of Bacteriophage λ is ~0.0485 Mb, with about 70 protein-coding genes, and it does not have true chromosomes but a single linear DNA molecule. Slight variation can occur between strains.
Influenza A virus
The genome size of Influenza A virus is ~0.0135 Mb, containing 11 genes, and instead of chromosomes it has 8 RNA segments. Different strains may vary slightly in size and gene arrangement.
Escherichia coli
The genome size of Escherichia coli is ~4.6 Mb, with around 4,400 protein-coding genes, and it contains 1 circular chromosome. Different strains may show slight differences in genome size and gene number.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Yeast)
The genome size of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is ~12.2 Mb, with about 6,275 protein-coding genes, and it has 16 linear chromosomes. Other yeast species may differ in genome size and chromosome number.
Caenorhabditis elegans
The genome size of Caenorhabditis elegans is ~100 Mb, with about 20,000 protein-coding genes, and it carries 6 chromosomes. Close nematode relatives may show slight differences in gene content.
Drosophila melanogaster (Fruit fly)
The genome size of Drosophila melanogaster is ~165 Mb, with about 15,682 protein-coding genes, and it has 8 chromosomes. Other fruit fly species may have genome variations.
Arabidopsis thaliana
The genome size of Arabidopsis thaliana is ~135 Mb, containing about 27,000 protein-coding genes, and it has 5 chromosomes. Different Arabidopsis ecotypes can vary slightly in genome content.
Danio rerio (Zebrafish)
The genome size of Danio rerio is ~1,500 Mb, with about 25,000 protein-coding genes, and it has 25 chromosomes. Different zebrafish strains may show minor variations.
Mus musculus (Mouse)
The genome size of Mus musculus is ~2,700 Mb, with about 23,000 protein-coding genes, and it has 40 chromosomes. Different mouse strains can show minor genetic variation.
Homo sapiens (Human)
The genome size of humans (Homo sapiens) is ~3,200 Mb, with about 23,000 protein-coding genes, and 46 chromosomes.
