4 ms·
Since I learned of this so-called Junk DNA, I assumed that one function of it might be to dilute the density of critical DNA sequences. In other words, if ever
by jes 5y ago
Since I learned of this so-called Junk DNA, I assumed that one function of it might be to dilute the density of critical DNA sequences.
In other words, if every base pair matters, then DNA damage from, say, ionizing radiation is more likely to be a problem than if only 1/100 base pairs matter.
- throw3849 5y agoNot really. Smaller DNA means smaller surface, and less total accidents.
- nitrogen 5y agoHypothetically, let's suppose risk of damage correlates with cross sectional area of DNA. It's conceivable that scaling up length with less critical segments reduces risk faster than the increasing cross section increases it. It's an interesting idea from the OP. I'm basically imagining a box full of rope and someone is poking the box with a stick. The length of rope that can fit in the box increases faster than the box's cross section.
- throw3849 5y agoIt is not square area, but cubic area (mass).