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Genomes
April 21, 2012 at 12:16 am
I was just reading up on the human genome of 3 billion base pairs when I stumbled across something I can't understand. Before I ask the question let me say the human genome is really small so don't let the numbers surprise you. In 2010 a team of scientists claimed that the Japanese plant Paris Japonica has the largest genome known at an astounding 152 billion base pairs and that it took the record from the marbled lung fish (Protopterus aethiopicus) with 132 billion base pairs. Only thing is Ameoba Dubia has been known well before 2010 to have a genome with 670 million base pairs. Anybody able to explain the claim about the Japanese plant?
On another note, anybody still think the human genome is really big?
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RE: Genomes
April 21, 2012 at 12:36 am
Largest genome in a multi-cell organism, perhaps? Just a guess.
Yeah, the human genome is relatively tiny compared to much simpler organisms. I've been curious to know why ever since I learned that.
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RE: Genomes
April 21, 2012 at 12:46 am
(This post was last modified: April 21, 2012 at 12:48 am by Jackalope.)
Yep, agreed. That's a good illustration as to why multiple independent sources should be used.
I also find it interesting that while googling for information as to why the human genome is relatively small, I found several creationist sites that claimed the opposite, comparing humans against chickens and fruit flies.
Cherry picking FTW.
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RE: Genomes
April 21, 2012 at 1:01 am
Largest PLANT genome known, according to the Wikipedia Genome article.
