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DNA: The book of you - Joe Hanson

624,088 Views

58,285 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Your body is made of cells -- but how does a single cell know to become part of your nose, instead of your toes? The answer is in your body's instruction book: DNA. Joe Hanson compares DNA to a detailed manual for building a person out of cells -- with 46 chapters (chromosomes) and hundreds of thousands of pages covering every part of you.

Watch Think 5 Multiple Choice &
3 Open Answer Questions Dig Deeper Learn More

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DNA is crammed into a space nearly 1 million times smaller than itself. What does it first do to organize itself?

a

The thread of protein separates itself into parallel strips according to base pairs

b

The short part of the protein thread disassembles and reassembles only when cells are formed

c

There is no apparent organization in the long thread of DNA

d

The long thread of DNA wraps around proteins clustered into little beads called nucleosomes

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Educator Joe Hanson
Animator Nipun Sharma
Narrator Joe Hanson

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