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Questions and Answers
What is the length of the fern's genome when stretched out?
Where does the fern typically grow?
How does the size of the fern's genome compare to that of humans?
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?
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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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Description
A species of fern from New Caledonia has been found to have the largest genome of any living thing, with a DNA sequence 100 meters long. This ancient plant has existed since before the time of dinosaurs. Learn more about this remarkable discovery!
