Genetics, an introduction to fundamental facts.
http://www.dnaftb.org/dnaftb/26/concept/index.html
December 1999,
the first human chromosome [#22] was completely sequenced having 33.5 million bps (base pairs of DNA nucleotides)
1 bp = .3 nm (nanometer) long
10 bp = 3 nanometer
35,000 genes in the human genome
June 2000.
initial working genome of the Human species was published
Only 5% of the human genome codes for proteinsOver half of human DNA is repeated or redundant, so called "junk" sequences.
Magnitude
Simple
The Green Florescent Protein (GFP) is coded for by a single gene in Jellyfish (Aequorea victoria) that cause the creature to glow.
Complex
About 1000 genes account for the Olfactory sense in mammals and humans have only 60% of these sequences activated
Sources:
DNA, James Watson
The Human Genome, editor of Natutre
Genome, Matt Ridley
The Century of the Gene, E. Fox Keller
The Triple Helix, Richard Lewontin
Genetics Index | What makes genetics significant? | History of Genetics | DNA discovery | RNA | Resistance| | Visual images