Question

Within the human genome we can identify the coding DNA and the invariant DNA i.e. the DNA that is shared by all humans. For example here the authors claim to identify a sequence that is shared not only by all humans but some other species as well.

What is known about their intersection?

Can they be considered as probabilistically independent (i.e. the chance that a random base pair is in both coding DNA and invariant DNA is the product of the chance that it is in coding DNA and of the chance that it is in the invariant DNA)?

I found a relevant preprint but additional references would help.

Answer 1

The coding DNA and invariant DNA within the human genome can be considered as probabilistically independent. The near universality of the genetic code and its resistance to change supports this idea.

Step-by-step explanation:

The coding DNA and invariant DNA within the human genome can be considered as probabilistically independent. The chance that a random base pair is in both coding DNA and invariant DNA is the product of the chance that it is in coding DNA and the chance that it is in the invariant DNA. This is because the coding DNA represents the genes responsible for protein synthesis, while the invariant DNA represents the universal sequences shared across all humans and some other species. Their intersection represents the common genetic information that is essential for life.

The near universality of the genetic code and its resistance to change allows us to compare DNA sequences and establish evolutionary relationships between organisms. The genetic code is nearly identical across species, including humans, indicating a common ancestry. This supports the idea that the coding DNA and invariant DNA can be considered as probabilistically independent.

While I couldn't find the exact preprint you mentioned, the information provided suggests that the coding DNA and invariant DNA can be studied separately to understand the genetic information of different organisms and the shared sequences that define life. The genetic code is a universal language that connects all living things.