Shared Genes: Why Humans & Prokaryotes Share 1000?

Chapter 1, Problem 10

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QUESTION:

A typical prokaryotic cell has about 3,000 genes in its DNA, while a human cell has about 20,500 genes. About 1,000 of these genes are present in both types of cells. Based on your understanding of evolution, explain how such different organisms could have this same subset of genes. What sorts of functions might these shared genes have?

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QUESTION:

A typical prokaryotic cell has about 3,000 genes in its DNA, while a human cell has about 20,500 genes. About 1,000 of these genes are present in both types of cells. Based on your understanding of evolution, explain how such different organisms could have this same subset of genes. What sorts of functions might these shared genes have?

ANSWER:

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A prokaryotic cell is a simple cell with no nuclear membrane, and the nucleic material lies scattered within a nucleoid. This is a key distinction between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells as the former has its genetic material properly enclosed within a membrane-bound nucleus.

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Shared Genes: Why Humans & Prokaryotes Share 1000?
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Explore the fascinating intersection of human and prokaryotic genetics revealing that both contain about 1000 shared genes despite their complexity difference. The video explains how this common genetic heritage can be traced back to a universal ancestor covering the essential functions these genes perform like metabolism and DNA replication.


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