Ch 3: Handy Genes

It was really fascinating to discover that all animals or creatures with limbs have similar genes that turn on and off at the right time. It is really fascinating to see that there are so many complex things occurring in our bodies and the same occurs in the bodies of animals, birds, sharks, flies, and etc. I never thought that scientists would compare us to flies but thats how they discovered that there is a connection between the genes in our bodies and theirs. I used to believe that we had different DNA in different parts of our body but by reading this chapter I discovered that we have the exact same DNA in all parts of our body. The only difference is that a different gene is turned on or off in different parts of our body. Shubin explained everything so nicely and clearly that it was really easy to understand. Also,the diagrams helped a lot to imagine everything. I was relieved to find that the geneticists chose a simple name like hedgehog to name the gene that makes one part of the body different from the other; such as the pinky side and the thumb side. Overall, this chapter was just as interesting as the others.