DECODING DNA

Which parent did you get most DNA from? 10 amazing facts about our genes

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Genetics can both fascinate and befuddle us with its complexity, but understanding its mechanisms just might be the key to deciphering the building blocks of our entire existence. From genes that are shared between different species to viruses that insert themselves into our DNA, here are 10 things you—likely—didn’t know about genetics and DNA.

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We vastly underestimate the amount of DNA we carry around in our cells. If you were to unravel all the DNA molecules in your body and lay them end to end, they would stretch an astonishing 10 billion miles—enough to reach the moon and back over 40 thousand times! However, despite the vast amount of DNA in our bodies, if we were to gather and weigh all of it together, it would surprisingly amount to only around 8 ounces.

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Surprisingly, humans share about 50% of their DNA with bananas! But this shouldn’t be too surprising given the fact that all life on Earth evolved from a single organism, roughly 3.5 billion years ago. Every living creature on our planet has the same type of DNA, undergoing almost identical processes in order to live and reproduce.

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Certain species, like salamanders and starfish, possess remarkable regenerative abilities, allowing them to regrow lost limbs. Other species like axolotls or jellyfish can even go further, regenerating anything from parts of their brains to crucial internal organs, or even recovering from being cut in half! Understanding the genetic mechanisms behind this ability holds promise for regenerative medicine and even tissue engineering.

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Surprisingly, we inherit slightly more DNA from our mother’s side. While everyone receives 50% of DNA from each parent, a small portion of mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down exclusively from mother to child, contributes to this imbalance. Mitochondrial DNA also allows for tracing the ancient relationships of human populations, and for this reason, it is extensively studied in anthropology and evolutionary biology.

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Scientists have already successfully stored digital data within DNA molecules, and many believe the technique has potential as a long-term storage solution. Its vast storage capacity and durability make it very attractive to store digital information, but the technology is still in development.

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DNA is sort of a blueprint that determines most of our traits and characteristics, but it is far from having the last say on how particular traits or genes will express themselves. Environmental factors can modify gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence, potentially impacting health and development. This is the reason that even identical twins have noticeable differences, like unique fingerprints.

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Studies have shown that certain environmental factors experienced by parents, like exposure to stress or traumatic events, can leave chemical marks on DNA that are passed down to offspring. This phenomenon is called transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and though it seems to contradict some of the tenets of Darwinian ideas, it is now widely accepted as one of the many mechanisms of genetic inheritance in most living organisms.

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Rare genetic mutations can give natural immunity to certain diseases. In time, if these genes can be distributed sufficiently within a given population this can even lead to collective immunity. For example, there is a genetic mutation called CCR5-delta 32 that provides natural immunity to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by altering the structure of a specific protein these viruses use to infect cells. Studying these unique phenomena can be promising for developing cures and more effective treatments.

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A significant portion of the human genome consists of non-coding DNA, often referred to as "junk" DNA because it does not code for proteins. However, recent research suggests that this non-coding DNA plays important roles in gene regulation and genome stability, challenging the notion of it being just 'junk'.

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Horizontal gene transfer is a very weird phenomenon where genetic material is transferred between completely different species, bypassing traditional vertical inheritance from parent to offspring. Although the mechanism behind this process is poorly understood, scientists believe that it played a significant role in the evolution of many organisms. In fact, certain types of viruses force this to happen in order to encode themselves into the DNA of their hosts and reproduce.

Yes, you read that correctly

Erf, cleek, gobbledygook, and other silly-sounding words

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Words like "cattywampus" and "frou-frou" are more than just fun to say. Sometimes, etymology can take unexpected twists and leave us with gems like "erf" and "dragoon." To some, these are everyday words in areas like cuisine or urban planning, but for many fellow readers, they are a random assortment of letters that might require a second glance. Explore this list of words that ring funny—to most people, at least—and see if any of them belong to your area of expertise.

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"Cleek" might sound like a children’s code word or an onomatopoeia, but it’s been a noun and a verb for centuries. A golfer saying, "I think I'll cleek this one," or a Scotsman talking about how he "cleeked" or "claught" a fish from the river—both would be accurate uses. The word "cleek" has often been used in golf, where it refers to an old-fashioned club used for striking a ball with precision. Over time, the word has come to be a synonym for catching, snatching, or grasping.

The word "cleek" originates from the Middle English word "cleke," which is derived from Old Norse "kleggi," meaning a large hook. The term first appeared in English texts around the 15th century, primarily in Scotland. In the context of golf, "cleek" began to appear in records by the late 17th century, when the sport was becoming increasingly popular in Scotland.

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No, it’s not a conversational filler interchangeable with "umm" or "err." "Erf" is legal jargon that refers to an urban plot of land, especially in South Africa. The term originated there back in the early days of Cape Colony, when the land was being systematically parceled and recorded.

The term is most commonly used in South African English to describe a parcel of land or property development in legal contexts. It has its origins in Dutch, from the word "erf" meaning an inheritance or an inherited piece of land. The term was brought to South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 17th century, as part of the broader Afrikaans language, which developed from Dutch.

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It’s neither a sea creature nor a Marvel villain. An "octothorpe" is something much closer to us that many use every day. It refers to the humble "#" symbol, known by many names: pound sign, number sign, hash, and more recently, "hashtag."

The word "octothorpe" is believed to have been coined in the 1960s by Bell Telephone Laboratories employees as they worked on developing touch-tone dialing. Octo refers to the eight tip ends of the symbol, while thorpe remains mysterious—some versions say it may derive from the Old English word thorp, meaning field or village, which alludes to the eight spaces around the central square. The symbol itself has a much older history, originating as a scribal abbreviation in medieval Latin to indicate weight in pounds (lb).

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"Frou-frou" does sound like what it means—fluffy and a bit over-the-top. You might say someone with a taste for elaborate, frilly clothing has a "frou-frou" style. The word is an adjective or noun used for a flair for lace, ruffles, and particularly ornate decoration or fashion. It can be used endearingly as well as mockingly.

The word "frou-frou" comes from French, where it originally referred to the rustling sound of silk or other fine fabrics. It first appeared in English in the late 19th century, around the 1870s, at a time when ornate aesthetics were very much in vogue. Today, though not used much, the word is still associated with whimsical fashion that mixes elegance with excessive detail.

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Your room might look cattywampus after having guests over, or the picture frames might be all cattywampus after your cat took a stroll through the shelf. The funny and informal term is reserved for things that appear askew, crooked, or not quite right, whether objects or projects that went off course.

The origin of the word is unclear, though it’s believed to be a blend of Southern American slang with elements of Scots-Irish language brought over by settlers. The term first appeared in print in the early 19th century and has been used in American English ever since, particularly in the South. Some theories suggest that "catawampus," an earlier variant, may have derived from cata, meaning diagonal or crooked, combined with wampus, a playful term for a strange or imaginary creature.

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"Penuche" might sound like an elegant garment bought in France, but it’s actually a sweet treat. Pronounced "puh-NOO-chee," it’s a type of fudge made primarily from brown sugar, butter, and milk. It has a distinct light brown color and a flavor that’s often described as somewhere between caramel and maple. It’s particularly popular in New England and the southern United States, where it’s sometimes made as a holiday treat or sold in old-fashioned candy shops.

The word "penuche" may derive from the Spanish word "panocha," a coarse grade of sugar made from unrefined cane. Penuche fudge became popular in the United States during the 19th century, especially in regions where brown sugar was readily available.

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A road, building, or startup that never got finished might be referred to as a "boondoggle." It means that it was a total waste of time or money. Silly as the word sounds, it’s often used as a serious accusation: The people involved in a boondoggle might have been only pretending to be productive over unnecessary tasks.

The word was originally coined to name the braided leather lanyards made by Boy Scouts. However, during the 1930s, critics of the New Deal began using the term to describe programs they considered wasteful. The term caught on, and by the mid-20th century, it was commonly used to refer to any deceitful or unnecessary project, particularly one funded by taxpayers.

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Yes, the term might be distantly related to the mythical creature. When someone gets "dragooned," they are experiencing the all-too-familiar feeling of being pressured into something against their will, often with a touch of resentment.

The term originally referred to a type of cavalry soldier from European armies in the 17th and 18th centuries. Dragoons were known for their fierce, often brutal tactics, and the label came to symbolize the act of forcing someone to comply with demands through intimidation or coercion. The name "dragoon" is believed to come from the French word dragon, referring to the firearm carried by these soldiers, which was said to "breathe fire" like a dragon.

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If you check whether the napkins at a dinner party are all perfectly folded, you might be a bit persnickety. The adjective describes being overly particular, fussy, or meticulous, to the point of amusing or annoying others.

The word is rooted in the older Scottish word "pernickety," from the late 19th century. "Pernickety" itself is believed to be a combination of per, a prefix meaning thoroughly, and nick, possibly derived from "knick-knack," referring to a small detail or object.

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It might sound like something a turkey might warble, but "gobbledygook" is a term that refers to overly complex or unintelligible language. When an explanation is filled with jargon or technical terms that replace the more straightforward meaning, it can be called out for being gobbledygook, or pretentious.

The word was coined in 1944 by Maury Maverick, a U.S. Congressman, who used it to criticize the convoluted language of government documents. So, yes, he made up a term to evoke the sound of nonsensical speech. Maverick’s intention was to denounce pompous legislative and bureaucratic writing and aim to make it less ambiguous and more direct.