2007-06-20 06:34:17 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Rat and human DNA are not identical, on two levels:-
1. Although large sequences of DNA are exactly identical to both rats and humans (and indeed many other living things), it's the differences that help to make a rat a rat and a human a human. You could remove a section of human DNA and replace it with an identical sequence from a rat and you wouldn't turn the human into a rat. If, however, you took one of the sequences which differ between rats and humans and did the same thing you would end up with some form of hybrid.
2. The sequence of DNA is only part of the story. Of at least equal importance is how that sequence is interpreted. For example there may be a sequence which says "make hair". These may be exactly identical in rats and humans but are interpreted differently so that (normally) humans don't end up covered in fur and rats don't end up with just a few hairs. This interpretation is carried out by other sequences of DNA which ARE different between different species.
2007-06-20 06:41:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, a rats and a humans DNA have similarites but they are not identical, which if you look at a rat then look at yourself should be apparent...
species can cross breed i.e. mule (Horse + donkey) or a Liger (tiger + lion) they are just born sterile and thus cant procreate.
2007-06-20 06:38:59 · answer #2 · answered by Bryan B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an average human has a set of 23 chromosomes or 46 in all. When bred one parent gives half and the other half as well. 23+23=46. its going to be a human since it has 46
Rats have 42 chromosomes, half of it would be 21, half a human will be 23. 21+23=44, it would die in the womb, it does not have enough information to develop.
2007-06-20 12:44:53 · answer #3 · answered by naval_officer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not identical. Also, we share more than 98% of our genetic characteristics with chimpanzees. But species cannot cross-breed.
2007-06-20 06:38:41 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Half-rats everywhere take offense at zanti3's vicious and unwarranted comparison. Everyone knows that lawyers are half human, half _cockroach_!
2007-06-20 07:07:51 · answer #5 · answered by John R 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They're called lawyers, aren't they?
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Oh, now wait a second, John R...
Cockroaches have been on this planet a few hundred million years and will probably still be here when humans go extinct. They do not deserve to be insulted like that.
2007-06-20 06:44:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋