Definitions

Genetics has a language of its own, and understanding a few core terms makes it much easier to make sense of your DNA results. This section breaks down the foundational vocabulary you'll encounter throughout Sequencing.com, from the building blocks of heredity to the small variations that make each of us unique.

Explore the terms below to build a working vocabulary for reading and understanding your genetic data:

• What Is a Gene? — the basic unit of heredity that carries instructions for traits and biological functions.
• What Is Genotype vs. Phenotype? — the difference between the genetic code you carry and the observable traits it produces.
• What Is a SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism)? — the most common type of genetic variation between individuals.
• What Is a Chromosome? — the structure that packages and organizes DNA within each cell.
• What Is an Allele? — the different versions of a gene that can exist at the same location on a chromosome.
• What Is DNA? — the molecule that stores the genetic instructions for building and maintaining an organism.
• What Is a Variant? — a change in a DNA sequence that can influence health, traits, or disease risk.

Each definition is written to be approachable for newcomers while remaining accurate enough to support deeper research into your own genome.