Eli5: What does percent in DNA mean?

Question

Siblings share 50% of their DNA. Then scientists say we have 1-4% Neanderthal DNA, but say we are 99% related to chimps. Then there is the fact that we share 60% of our DNA with bananas.

In: 18

Answer 1

Some of your DNA does basic things, like create building blocks that are common to most living things. For example, a banana & your body both use energy to survive, so they can share some parts.