In a study, scientists from 14 countries spent nine years
researching and trying to discover the tomato genome with the intention of
breeding better ones. After successfully discovering the genome, they found the
vegetable possesses 31,760 genes, more than the approximate 22,000 genes humans
have. It was also found that the Potato shares about 92% of its DNA with that
of the Tomato, which makes sense because they are part of the same family, the Solanaceae family. So how
did the Tomato gain so many genes? Well it turns out about 70 million years,
some lucky mishap in the process of cell division led to the triplication of
the Solanum genome where then the two free copies of each gene were free to
change through mutation. Some of these were useless so they were dropped but
others developed new useful functions. Interestingly enough, burdening a plant
with three times as much DNA as it needs would sometimes be considered a
handicap but since this event occurred around the same time as dinosaurs became
extinct it was actually a lifesaver. Jim Giovannoni, a plant geneticist says, “It’s
easy to think that in that period, with a lot of volcanic activity and little
sunlight, the reservoir of a lot of additional genes would be useful to a plant”.
Because of this study, plant breeders have had more success breeding tomatoes
that benefit everyone such as longer shelf life and better taste and quality.
I
found this article interesting because it is surprising that something as
simple as a tomato has more genes than a living human. Naturally, you would
think that if something had as many genes as the tomato has, it would be more
complex and advanced but as I am learning, that is not always the case.
This is really interesting because I would have never guessed a tomato plant would have so many genes. Humans are thought to be complex organisms and we have many genes but to think a tomato has more is crazy.
ReplyDeleteAlso the fact that tomato shares 92% of its genes with a potato is surprising to me! Tomatoes were practically a mistake/ a mutation that has become a very big part of the food industry. This is really interesting to me. I'm glad to read about something different than human genetics.
I was completely unaware that tomatoes have more genes than something as complex as a human being. Also, the fact that potatoes share 92% of their DNA with tomatoes is fascinating considering one grows under the soil and one grows above. I wonder which genes make that distinction? Good post!
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