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Largest Genome Ever

Posted by timothy on from the trojan-marketing-campaign dept.

sciencehabit writes "A rare Japanese flower named Paris japonica sports an astonishing 149 billion base pairs, making it 50 times the size of a human genome — and the largest genome ever found. The genome would be taller than Big Ben if stretched out end to end. The researchers warn however that big genomes tend to be a liability: plants with lots of DNA have more trouble tolerating pollution and extreme climatic extinctions—and they grow more slowly than plants with less DNA, because it takes so long to replicate their genome."

4 of 189 comments (clear)

  1. Picture by Glonoinha · · Score: 5, Funny

    Since the article was light on visuals, I found a picture of the largest genome ever.

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    Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
  2. Re:Can atheists refute one simple fact? by norppalaho · · Score: 5, Funny

    Please to be fucking off of my internet.

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    One of the coolest sites, ever: zombo.com
  3. Re:Can atheists refute one simple fact? by Delarth799 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Everyone on the internet who has read or come near your post is now dumber because of it. I award you no points, and may Al Gore have mercy on your soul

  4. Re:Can atheists refute one simple fact? by atmurray · · Score: 5, Insightful

    “I contend we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”- Stephen F. Roberts