Dude! Do you like money? There's over $100 up for grabs in my From A to Z Contest. Enter today!I expect if you were to ask most people what DNA stands for, even avid CSI watchers would respond IDK.1 Scientists, on the other hand, would tell you that DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is made up of letters.
And D isn't one of them.
Specifically, it's made up of A (adenine), C (cytosine), G (guanine), and T (thymine). Together, not only can these spell the name of an underrated 1997 film that deals with genetics, but they also combine to form the building blocks for all known living organisms. That's great and all, but what's really exciting is that they are proof Star Wars is hard-coded into our genes.
No, really.
In DNA, the nucleotides form base pairs. Adenine always bonds with thymine, and cytosine always bonds with guanine. So what does this mean? It means, like Star Wars, our DNA has many AT-ATs which are made with CG.2
That's right: The Force will be with you, always. Science fiction has become science fact.
You're welcome.
1 I have no idea what that last one means. Illegal Donna Karans? Illustrated Donkey Kong? I'm David Krumholtz? Yeah, I don't know.
2 That's computer graphics, for those who don't speak geek.
This post is part of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge, hosted by Stephen Tremp and seven others. Go check out the other participants!
I am so happy to be follower #100! I hate uneven numbers.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe I worked in forensics and still have no idea what you wrote but it all read well:)
lol, how cool!
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed with DNA. And I remembered the letters by moving them around-- G-CAT!
ReplyDeleteWow :) I had been interested in DNA too in school..but not so much after it ;) LOL.. Might need to look it up again.
ReplyDeleteFollowing you from A-Z challenge!
DNA holds many answers.
ReplyDeletei'm a sciene nerd, so i did know what DNA stands for. In highschool, my fav teacher (science) was named Mr. Tuchsherer (yeah, it's a mouthful) and his best friend was the history teacher we called Arlo (which was his first name). The way we were all taught ATCG was the pneumonic:
ReplyDeleteArlo-Tuchsherer-Cool-Guys.
And they were
DNA can live with them, can't live without them. I'm #103!
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. Have a great day!
Sherrie
Just Books
http://sherriesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/to-z-blogging-challenge_05.html
Nate, that is so funny. My 14 year old is preparing to go into the IB program at his high school next year. He's considering Biology over Chemistry, so I randomly asked him if he knew what DNA stands for. He had no idea. I felt so smart when I told him it was deoxyribonucleic acid. Just had to share that.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Not a science fiction fan, so I'm afraid my genes aren't really infected. Funny! :o)
ReplyDeleteJessica @ The Alliterative Allomporph
I watch CSI and I still didn't know that.
ReplyDeleteLOL.
ReplyDeleteDNA is interesting--especially now that scientists are learning more about what it does and how it works.
I had no idea science fiction was hard-wired into my DNA. Thanks for the heads up, Nate!
ReplyDelete"I'm David Krumholtz" sounds like the beginning of a viral marketing campaign. :)
ReplyDeleteVery intelligent post. The great mystery of the "force" is solved. Thank you for clarifying. I've been convincing my friends of this for years, lol!
ReplyDelete'Science fiction has become science fact.' That was the premise of the latest Patricia Cornwell Port Mortuary novel. Rather worrying.
ReplyDeleteI'm travelling to Darfur today if you'd like to visit - no jute today, ha ha.
Denise<3
You know, the first time I watched Gattaca I did not like it. The second time I disliked it less. At this rate, I'll love it by my 56th viewing.
ReplyDeleteAlso DNA is awesome and science is for winners. You, sir, are a winner.
Also, Quit trying to give me money!
doreen: Congrats on being my 100th follower! In recognition of this auspicious occasion, I will give you... this response! Hooray!
ReplyDeleteLynda: That was my exact response when I found out. Except it was a literal laugh out loud, or "llol".
Your Majesty: I'll see your G-CAT and raise you one C-TAG.
Ju: I became more curious about DNA after school. Things are just so much more interesting if you're not forced to learn about them.
Mary: Especially such answers as "ta ta," "Gaga," or "Tag a cat."
Falen: Alas, my high school science teachers weren't cool... but one of them did look like Jesus. (And so did his wife.)
kathy: Actually, my DNA and I have decided to spend some time apart. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Sherrie: I will have a great day. Thanks for stopping by!
Kelly: And now I suspect your son won't forget it. Although I must admit I don't know what an IB program is. The Illicit Bassoon program, perhaps?
Jessica: It's not that you aren't infected. It's that your sci-fi-ness is lying dormant in your genetic code, ready to be passed on to the next generation. (Get it? Next Generation? No, of course not... you're not a sci-fi fan.)
Diane: Well, if they spelled everything out in CSI instead of using abbreviations, they'd never be able to solve the mystery before the episode was over.
Golden: Agreed. Although, I'm kind of surprised none of the scientists noticed any microscopic AT-ATs before now.
Jeffrey: Glad I could oblige.
Joe: I have a bad feeling about this. But yeah, let's do it.
Matthew: Thanks, Matthew! Of course, the only real mystery was why anyone ever believed it was midi-chlorians...
L'Aussie: As long as we continue to make only the good science fiction into fact (e.g. the high-tech gadgets), and not the bad (e.g. the high-tech gadgets rebelling and killing us all), we'll be fine.
Hannah: 1) I figure it'll only take until your 24th viewing, one to convince each chromosome in your DNA. 2) I am a winner. Thanks for noticing! 3) I'm not trying to give you money. I'm trying to convince you to earn money. I don't give shit away for free... so why would I give money away for free?
Oh my heck you just blew my mind! This was more learning than I gotsss in high school:)
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I feel better knowing the force is with me.
ReplyDeleteDanke!
ReplyDeleteDNA was my favorite topic in science class. For awhile, deoxyrubonucleic was even one of my favorite words. Probably because it was so long and fun to say.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! We are a 'mixed' household. I married a Star Wars enthusiast and I came from a family of Trekkies but we have a happy marriage and have indoctrinated the children in both. Thanks for the science reminder. I'm A-Z blogging too.
ReplyDeleteCandace: Oh, they wouldn't teach you this sort of thing in high school. All the kids would be bouncing off the walls, swinging their light sabers about willy nilly.
ReplyDeleteKari: Great! Just don't be tempted by the Dark Side, not unless they have a killer health plan.
Bob: Sie sind willkommen.
Liz: It is fun to say. Deoxyribonucleic. Deoxyribonucleic. Deoxyribonucleic. (Okay, I'll stop now.)
Spicy: In that case, "May the Worf be with you."