3 ms·
> Many vulgarization sources say that DNA is like the source code of life. DNA is a tape archive of files (genes). They are not binary (base-2) encoded, but ba
by mseepgood 7y ago
> Many vulgarization sources say that DNA is like the source code of life.
DNA is a tape archive of files (genes). They are not binary (base-2) encoded, but base-4 encoded. A reading head (polymerase) reads sections of the tape and copies them into working memory. A 3D printer (ribosome) receives these sections from the working memory and prints nano machines (proteins) based on these tape snippets. DNA is not source code, it does not contain conditions or jumps (loops), it's data for the 3D printer. (Actually it's just a 1D printer, but the result folds into a 3D shape).