DNA: the vast universe within each of our 37.2 trillion cells; 5 million to 2 trillion molecules, our body contains 39 trillion bacterial cells .... - From the vastness of the sky to the multitude of microscopic organisms crawling on the inside and outside of our bodies, some of the mysteries of the universe are simply beyond our comprehension. Many of you may also consider the inner workings of our very own bodies to be within that realm—even in this information age, the things that make us sleepy, or make us fall in love, or make us depressed, anxious, or joyous, seem more within the realm of magic than science. Next time you look up at the stars, let the incomprehensible immensity of our universe takes your breath away. And the next time you look at yourself in the mirror, realize that when it comes to the immensity of your “inner universe,” you have the tools to understand your own infinite complexity a little bit better—gene by gene. https://drbrucekehr.com/double-helix-science-spirituality-dna-gene/
Our DNA could stretch from the earth to the sun and back 71 times if uncoiled with 100 trillion cells in your body, that means if all your DNA would stretch over 110 billion miles. (this information is varies).
We’re all 99.6 percent alike. Of the 3 billion base pairs in the human genome, each of us shares 99.6% of our genetic code—and that our individuality comes from just 0.4% of that code unique to us.
Genes make up only about 3 percent of your DNA.
Genes are short segments of DNA, but not all DNA is genes. All told, genes are only about 1-3% of your DNA. The rest of your DNA controls the activity of your genes.
Humans share 60% of genes with fruit flies, and 2/3 of those genes are known to be involved in cancer.
You share 98.7% of your DNA in common with chimpanzees and bonobos.
If you could type 60 words per minute, eight hours a day, it would take approximately 50 years to type the human genome. Our entire genome would fill 201,000 pages worth of Yellow Pages.
Phosphorus is a key component of DNA, but late last year a team of NASA scientists published a controversial study reporting that they had found a bacterium that could use arsenic instead. “What else can life do that we haven’t seen yet?” wondered lead researcher Felisa Wolfe-Simon.
If uncoiled, the DNA in all the cells in your body would stretch 10 billion miles—from here to Pluto and back.
The closest invertebrate genetic relative of humans is a small creature known as the star ascidian or golden star tunicate. In other words, you have more in common, genetically speaking, with this tiny chordate than you do with a spider or octopus or cockroach.
star ascidian
You also share 85% of your DNA with a mouse, 40% with a fruitfly, Humans and bananas share 41% of their DNA, 40-50% of their DNA with cabbage
Three is the magic number. The code that translates the DNA recipes encoded in genes into the thousands of different proteins that build every living thing on earth is based on groups of three letters, no more no less. It’s used by all living organisms on earth, with only a few minor exceptions such as a variation in the amino acid encoded by a particular triplet, highlighting the shared evolutionary origin of all life on earth.
There is an “Immortality Drive” aboard the International Space Station that contains the DNA of prominent people in case humanity ever needs to be resurrected.
In 2008, a Russian spacecraft flew a small memory device with digitized DNA sequences of some prominent figures like Stephen Hawking, Lance Armstrong, Stephen Colbert, and Jo Garcia. Its purpose is to provide the building blocks to resurrect humanity if an apocalyptic event were to destroy Earth.
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