if all the genes in our body are the same how come we have so many different cell types that perform different functions?

Question

if all the genes in our body are the same how come we have so many different cell types that perform different functions?

In: Biology

Answer 1

It’s called epigenetics!
Your genes are made of DNA. Your DNA is shaped like a really long strand, but it’s coiled *real* tight. Because of this coiling, only some parts of the DNA are turned outwards, and are thus able to tell the cells what to do.
There are chemicals that affect how your DNA coils, and which bits are facing outward – and so change how the cell behaves, what it looks like, what it does, and so on.
It’s like a manual, where you’re only allowed to read the open page – but different things tend to leaf through and leave different pages open. Sometimes, it’s page 2 and 3, and sometimes is page 46 and 47.

Epigenetic changes can also come about because of your hormones, lifestyle, food, activity, environment, and many other things.