Genome, transcriptome and proteome distinguish inherited DNA information from expressed mRNA and dynamic protein output in cells over time and conditions.
Coverage 2014–2023 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
A cell's genome is its complete genetic information, its transcriptome is the set of mRNA transcripts present at a particular time, and its proteome is the set of proteins present at that time.
| Layer | What it contains | How it varies |
|---|---|---|
| Genome | Complete DNA information | Usually shared by an individual's somatic cells and relatively stable |
| Transcriptome | mRNAs produced in a cell or tissue at that time | Changes with cell type, development and environment |
| Proteome | Proteins present in a cell, tissue or organism at that time | Dynamic because translation, processing and degradation change protein abundance |
A liver cell and muscle cell usually share a genome but express different genes, so their transcriptomes and proteomes differ and support different functions.
No cell expresses all its genes. Detecting an mRNA also does not guarantee that its protein is abundant or functional.
This objective is assessed through multiple choice, commonly using State / Calculate / Explain.
State / Calculate / Explain
Build the answer around this relationship: The genome is the complete genetic information.
Assuming the genome and proteome are identical in all tissues.
Representative question
Which statement correctly describes genome and proteome?
Only the genome but not the proteome can be analysed using gel electrophoresis.
The genome and the proteome are the same in all tissues in an organism.
In cells of different tissues, the genome is the same while the proteome varies.
Only mutations in the proteome but not in the genome cause any variability.
