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Generally, let's say that a gene is a stretch of DNA that encodes some functional product. That product might be a protein, or an RNA that performs some functio
by carbocation 8y ago
Generally, let's say that a gene is a stretch of DNA that encodes some functional product. That product might be a protein, or an RNA that performs some function. Think of these stretches of DNA as distinct entities that can be recognized by start and stop signals.
If you say that 55% of the genes in the human genome were already present in the first animal, then you're saying that stretches of DNA which bear a significant similarity to 55% of ours were found in the first animal.
- Retric 8y agoIt's also far less profound than you might think as cells are extremely complex and don't have that much wiggle room. They hit a local optima after hundred of millions of years so it's a really good one. Not just copying DNA, but also a cell wall and nucleus etc. On top of that multi cellular organisms are on the evolutionary slow lane, they have smaller populations, take longer to reproduce, and don't simply hot patch any random bit of DNA they come across.
- reubenswartz 8y agoThis is a great comment and I agree almost completely. However, I think it’s very profound— it says something about the incredible power and versatility of cellular building blocks.