What it means to share DNA with other organisms

Question

We share 60% of our DNA with bananas, but we are clearly not 60% banana.

In: 43

Answer 1

DNA is just a recipe on what proteins to make, how to build a cell, etc. That’s common between all life on earth. And 20% is still a lot of difference. That 20% includes all internal organs, 5 fingers and toes, backbone, eyes, etc. Again things that are shared with most (land) chordates. So by the time you get to chimps and humans, there’s only a 1-3% difference in DNA.