3 ms·
> I liken DNA to a paper tape containing one of two punches: MAN or MOUSE I don't think that really captures it. Yes, it requires external machinery to actual
by ghkbrew 12y ago
> I liken DNA to a paper tape containing one of two punches: MAN or MOUSE
I don't think that really captures it. Yes, it requires external machinery to actually do anything, but DNA is much more information dense and carries much more of an exact definition of the organism to be produced.
Personally, I prefer the analogy of compiler source code. Sure, it can't do anything on its own. But it defines how an working external system (another compiler or an functional cellular environment) can produce a second possibly different system
- Retric 12y agoMitochondria for example are (mostly?) independent of your DNA.
- JoeAltmaier 12y agoYet the dynamic biochemistry of the cell is orders of magnitude larger and more complex than DNA. So its larger than a paper tape, sure, but the comparison is pretty good really.
- 1457389 12y agoPaper tapes can't catalyze their own creation and modification. DNA can with the addition of ribonucleotides.