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Questions and Answers
What is the length of the fern's genome when stretched out?
What is the length of the fern's genome when stretched out?
- 1000 meters
- 100 meters (correct)
- 1 meter
- 10 meters
Where does the fern typically grow?
Where does the fern typically grow?
- In the ocean
- On the trunks and branches of rainforest trees (correct)
- In the desert
- On the forest floor
How does the size of the fern's genome compare to that of humans?
How does the size of the fern's genome compare to that of humans?
- It's similar
- It's smaller
- It's impossible to compare
- It's much larger (correct)
What is one reason why scientists want to study the fern's large genome?
What is one reason why scientists want to study the fern's large genome?
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How many Guinness World Records does the fern hold?
How many Guinness World Records does the fern hold?
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What is the name of the fern?
What is the name of the fern?
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Study Notes
Record-Breaking Fern Genome
- A fern from New Caledonia, known as Tmesipteris oblanceolate, has the largest genome of any living thing, measuring approximately 100 meters long when stretched out.
- This fern's genome is so massive that it would surpass the height of Big Ben.
Characteristics of the Fern
- Tmesipteris oblanceolate belongs to an ancient group of plants that existed before dinosaurs.
- It grows on the trunks and branches of rainforest trees.
Measuring the Genome
- Scientists measured the DNA by seeing how much dye it absorbed, revealing a genome size of 160 billion base pairs.
- For comparison, the human genome has approximately 3 billion base pairs.
Guinness World Records
- The fern holds three Guinness World Records for its large genome.
Importance of Understanding Genome Size
- Understanding why some plants have large genomes could help scientists learn about their functions and risks of extinction.
- Big genomes need more resources, which can affect a plant's survival.
- This knowledge can provide insights into the risks of extinction.
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