Few genes are required

Northern Shoveler, San Antonio NM, February 10, 2011

One's brain is powerfully activated by learning that there are only 30,000 genes in the human genome. That is only twice as many as in the fruit fly, not renowned for its calculating ability, and about as many as a garden weed. Geneticists are sorely vexed that so few genes are required to make something as complex and clever as a geneticist.

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clipped December 22, 2002

Collection: Natural Science

Absolute Silence
As My Breathing Evened Out
A Mere Bristle on the Hog
A Bump on the Head
Canning the Blueberries
Crayfish Chimney
That's the Point of Emotions: Survival
The Trespasser's Eyeshine
Few genes are required
Five Trillion Spiders
Listening
Messing Up Their Results
Roses
Interior of a Settled Korak Yurt
A Siberian dog signal-howl
We Are Clearly a Species Worth Saving
They do not Intrude on Each Other
Troops Endure Blowing Sands and Mud Rain
Wind on the Gangplank