Tetrahymena thermophila genomes sequenced, assembled and analyzed
This microscopic predator has roughly 25,000 genes, nearly as many humans do, and although it's single-celled it's genes are seemingly more complex.
Inside each of it's cells it has two distinct nuclei, each with a different genome. In one, the micronuclear genome is for sex and reproduction, inside the second is the macronuclear genome, which expresses genes that that govern behaviour. It also seems free of junk DNA.
It's versatility and potential for complexity is great for evolutionary biologists like Jonathan A. Eisen who lead the project.
posted by SubJunk at
12:38
1 Comments:
Hmm, just had an interesting thought:
It makes more sense that a single celled organism with generations of less than a day (I assume) would have a more complex genome than human, who have had a generational time of maybe an average of 15 years for the past few million.
In other words, there have been probably billions of more generations for this organism than there have been for humans.
There have been more of them for selection to work its intricate hand on, and thus a more refined workings can evolve.
By
Aegist, at Saturday, 02 September, 2006
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