DNA is amazing

[ThePhantom]

The way our bodies make proteins is just astounding. There's the DNA, which splits into RNA, and then based on the nucleotide sequence, different proteins are formed. It's amazing that our species, something so complex, evolved from things as simple as an amoeba.

[demdonuts]

for sure, man! DNA is crazy. human DNA is ~98.7% identical to a chimpanzee, yet look how disimilar humans and chimps are! it's unbelievable that such small differences can result in vastly different physical creatures.

did you know that francis crick, one of the two discoverers of the double helix structure of DNA, was on acid when he made the discovery? that's even more weird to think about.

the fact that all organisms utilize DNA, life is all built off of the same basic structure, only minute differences result in the huge organismal diversity on earth, absolutely blows my mind.

i love biology.

[GolgiApparatus]

its also equally amazing that something so complex is happening inside something so small as a cell, which we wouldnt even be able to comprehend without microscopes

[bkadoctaj]

Originally Posted by demdonuts

for sure, man! DNA is crazy. human DNA is ~98.7% identical to a chimpanzee, yet look how disimilar humans and chimps are! it's unbelievable that such small differences can result in vastly different physical creatures.

I'm going to stress that those differences are perceived first, and then classified and labeled.

[ThePhantom]

That's really cool about how Francis Crick was on LSD when he discovered DNA. He was also a founding member of Soma, a group which pushed for the legalization of marijuana. Now we have another person who supports us (even though he's dead), the discoverer of DNA. That's pretty prestigious.

[PGH1212]

was he really on LSD when he discovered it?

[Eru_iluvatar]

He was'nt ON lsd when he descovered it but he did say that he experemented with lsd around that time.

[demdonuts]

if i can find where i read it i'll be sure to cite the source, but if i remember right there was something in his written memoirs of LSD trips where he describes this vision of the double helix that came to him while on LSD, which later he used to develop his theory. so...the double helix shape came to him while he was stoned, but he didn't make the connection to DNA until he was sober.

[Ugyatag]

Originally Posted by ThePhantom

The way our bodies make proteins is just astounding. There's the DNA, which splits into RNA, and then based on the nucleotide sequence, different proteins are formed. It's amazing that our species, something so complex, evolved from things as simple as an amoeba.

That's not actually how it works [DNA is split, RNA Primer attached, RNA Pol binds, makes RNA, DNA rewound...], but yes, it is absolutely amazing.

If you want to think of something amazing, think about each cell in your body contains the exact same DNA, but they express completely different sets of protein. Transcription regulation is truly astounding.

[enevitable]

check out http://www.genome.gov/25019885

great site showing videos of how they actually read the genes

[Talventaivas]

I love DNA. My research group is focused on heat shock transcription factors (mostly HSF-2) and it is just amazing stuff. When I get some higher magnification images from the confocal microscope this week (hopefully!), maybe I will post them... the SYBRgreen images would be cool to look at baked anyway... they are bright and colorful! Here is an example:


Relatively low magnification image of mouse intestine with nuclear stain SYBRgreen!

I think all of this is incredible, that's why I went into this field And this job is easily the best I have ever had!

"Hey baby, if I were an enzyme, I'd be DNA-Helicase so I could unzip your genes!"

[AspergersGamer]

Makes you wonder what the smartest animal in the world is though...

[ThePhantom]

Originally Posted by AspergersGamer

Makes you wonder what the smartest animal in the world is though...

Humans.

[scoobydooby67]

Originally Posted by ThePhantom

Humans.

dogs.

all they have to do is just put their head in your lap for attention and love.

they lay around all day and still get fed.

dogs are the smartest, they got it made.

[ThePhantom]

Originally Posted by scoobydooby67

dogs.

all they have to do is just put their head in your lap for attention and love.

they lay around all day and still get fed.

dogs are the smartest, they got it made.

But they don't experience the intricate entertainment and quality that our lives have. That is the trade off.