Uncommon Descent Serving The Intelligent Design Community

Jerry’s Question — Crash Course in Base Pairs and Complementary Strands

Salvador Cordova
July 18, 2014
Biology, Humor, News
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Our longtime commenter Jerry several months ago asked a question about DNA (regarding complementary strands). I presume he got an answer by now.

At the time, I wanted to respond to his question with this video, but I just never got around to it! But the video would still be incredibly valuable to all our readers.

If I showed this video to ID sympathizers, it’s rather easy to persuade them of ID. It’s only about 13 minutes long, but you’ll learn a lot about DNA, chemistry, and ID (indirectly if you know what I mean), and the history of Rosalind Franklin’s contribution.

I love the narrator’s fast talking. Slow talking puts me to sleep!

[youtube 8kK2zwjRV0M]

Comments
I think this was the question: Comment, request for help
Are the numbers in the OP for all bases in the double helix of both the mother and father’s chromosomes?
Answer: "no". The files genbank and other sources publish only half of the base pairs since one can generally infer the complement. The information in the video shows visually why this inference is possible, and thus shows why it is sufficient to give information by publishing just 1 strand, and this is the convention in bioinformatics as far as I know. If DNA is duplicated in a homologous chromosome, there is also no need to publish single strands from each, and they don't as far as I know. There are 23 pairs of human chromosomes, and 22 are homologous. scordova
Jerry, I couldn't find the comment. Sorry. If I find it, I'll post it. Sal scordova
Why don't you put up the link to my comment. I am in Europe and won't be home for several days. That way I ca read what was said by me if I am the person. I can get it when I get back if necessary. jerry

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