TLDR;
This video presents seven fascinating facts about DNA, covering its length, the proportion of coding vs. non-coding regions, genetic similarity between relatives, data storage capacity, the human genome project, mitochondrial DNA inheritance, and the digitization of DNA from notable figures stored in space.
- DNA in a single human cell is about 6 feet long; the DNA from all cells in your body could span the solar system 14 times.
- Only 1-2% of human DNA codes for genes; the rest is non-coding and may have vital functions.
- Humans share about 50% of their genes with siblings, 25% with grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and 12.5% with first cousins.
- DNA is an efficient data storage medium, with one gram holding 700 terabytes.
- The human genome, comprising three billion base pairs, took a collaborative effort to map.
- Mitochondrial DNA, inherited from the mother, traces back through the maternal line.
- The digitized DNA of notable people is stored on the International Space Station.
DNA Length [0:30]
The DNA in a single human cell is approximately 6 feet long when fully stretched out. If you were to combine all the DNA from every cell in your body, it would stretch over 100 billion miles. This distance is long enough to span the entire solar system 14 times.
Coding vs. Non-Coding DNA [0:46]
The human genome contains about 20,000 genes. These genes only make up about 1% to 2% of your DNA. The remaining portion is non-coding DNA, which was once thought to have little value. However, recent research suggests that this non-coding DNA may have vital functions.
Genetic Similarity [1:08]
Identical twins share 100% of their genes. You share approximately 50% of your genes with each parent and about 50% with your siblings. Fraternal twins also share about 50% of their genes. You share approximately 25% genetic similarity with your grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and 12.5% with your first cousins.
DNA Data Storage [1:43]
DNA is highly efficient at storing data. One gram of DNA can hold about 700 terabytes of data. This is equivalent to 358,000 hours of HD video, which would take over 40 years to watch without sleeping. Humans have over 50 grams of DNA in their bodies.
Human Genome Project [2:02]
The human genome is a complete sequence of human DNA, including all three billion base pairs and the location of all genes. Typing out the entire human genome at 60 words per minute would take 95 years. Mapping the human genome was a collaborative effort by the scientific community.
Mitochondrial DNA [2:27]
Mitochondria have their own DNA, separate from the DNA stored in the nucleus. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the mother. This means that your mitochondrial DNA comes from your maternal line, stretching back through your mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and beyond.
Digitized DNA in Space [2:48]
The DNA sequences of several notable people, including Stephen Hawking, Lance Armstrong, and Stephen Colbert, have been digitized. This digital DNA is stored in the Immortal Drive, a hard drive orbiting the Earth on the International Space Station. The idea is that whoever finds it in the future will get an impression of human intelligence and humor.
