Scientists have discovered that the fork fern (Tmesipteris oblanceolata) possesses the largest genome ever found, with 160 billion base pairs. This remarkable find surpasses previous records and offers new insights into plant genetics and evolution. A small plant, known as the fork fern ( Tmesipteris oblanceolata ), has stunned scientists by having the largest genome ever discovered .
This tiny, fern-like plant, native to the South Pacific, boasts a genome that is 50 times larger than that of humans. With 160 billion base pairs, it surpasses the previous record held by the flowering plant Paris japonica. tmesipteris oblanceolata Source: fernsoftheworld.
com What is a Genome? A genome is the complete set of DNA in an organism, containing all the information needed for the growth, development, and functioning of that organism. In the case of the fork fern, its genome size is a staggering 160 billion base pairs, far exceeding the human genome’s 3 billion base pairs. Why is This Important? Understanding why the fork fern has such a large genome can provide insights into evolutionary biology and the adaptability of plants.
Jaume Pellicer, an evolutionary biologist, expressed surprise at this finding, indicating that the size limit for genomes might be much higher than previously thought. Managing the Genome With such a vast amount of DNA, scientists are curious about how the fork fern manages its genetic material. Only a small portion of DNA is responsible for coding proteins, wh.
