What's In Your Jeans? I Mean GENES!

Ever wonder why you are the way you are? We know what DNA is, but how does it work? Read on to find out!

1. Your DNA is a code that tells your cells what proteins to make.

Via youtube.com

Three consecutive nucleotides (also called bases) is called a codon and each codon codes for an amino acid. Amino acids are the molecules that make up all the proteins in our body. 15-20% of your body is protein-based. Proteins determine traits like eye color and hair color, and have many other functions!

2. Stretches of codons on each chromosome are called GENES.

Via niemann-pick-c.com

Genes are made up of nucleotides (bases) - anywhere from a couple hundred bases to a couple million bases. 3 bases = 1 codon. Codons code for amino acids, genes can code for an entire protein. *Fun fact* Humans have ~20,000 protein-coding genes, that's a lot of information!

3. Only ~2% of your DNA actually codes for proteins.

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The rest of it is called "noncoding DNA" and scientists are still working to determining its purpose. We do know that it's very important and that we can't function without it.

4. The DNA between each human is more than 99% identical.

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You are >99% genetically similar to the person standing next to you at any time!

5. And we are 82% genetically similar to dogs!

Via buzzfeed.com

Talk about man's best friend! For cats, it's even greater at 90%.

6. But our cells have to keep replicating ALL their DNA as they divide.

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The majority of cells in our bodies have to divide a lot. Which means that each cell is replicating ALL 6 FEET of its DNA all the time. This is a pretty amazing feat, and even more amazing is the fact that less than 1 mistake PER GENOME is made!

7. As we age, the rate of mistakes made during DNA replication increases...

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These mistakes, such as a base being changed from an "A" to a "G" are called mutations and can have dire consequences. If the mutation is in an important gene, such as one that codes for a protein that stops tumors from forming, the mutation could lead to cancer.

8. Some people even have these mutations before they are born.

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Some are fatal and some have small consequences such as allergies. But some can have more life-altering effects like Huntington's disease. The mutation for Huntington's disease is inherited from a parent's DNA.

9. So just remember: at our core, we are all nearly identical -literally!

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10. P.S. Yes there is DNA in food, most of your food was once living, therefore, it has DNA!

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11. Now go tell all your friends about how cool this stuff is!

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And tune in for our next post on what is made from DNA!