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Scientists currently have no exact number for the amount of genes that humans have though the consensus is that it is anywhere between 20,000 and 25,000. With the question of how many genes there are in humans, several other issues come up. In order to count the number of genes we have, scientists must have a clear definition for the term "gene". They must also locate these genes and have the tools and resources available to arrive at an accurate number. These issues make seeking an answer surprisingly difficult and time-consuming. What is a Gene? A simple definition of a…

Cancer begins in our DNA, the material that stores our genetic information. This material is made of molecules called nucleotides that are partially made up of nitrogenous bases (one nucleotide has one base). The order of these bases that are attached to the rest of their respective nucleotides and represented by A's, T's, C's, and G's are what create the sequence of our DNA. When changed and not repaired by DNA repair mechanisms, these sequences that are vital to the function of our bodies' physiological processes can lead to a cancer diagnosis. Not All Changes Create Cancer  Fortunately, the vast…

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the sequence within our cells that determines our individual characteristics. Most of the sequence (more than 99%) is identical between individuals; however, small sections are unique to each person.  The entire sequence of each person's DNA (what is called a genome) is made of individual molecules called nucleotides that come in four forms. These forms are determined by the portion of the nucleotide called a nitrogenous base. Each of the four nitrogenous bases, adenosine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C), has a complementary base (A and T are complementary and G and C…