Humans and snails share the same gene for asymmetry.
Asymmetry in snails. They use the same gene we do for the purpose.
Humans are asymmetric — especially internally. It’s critical that we are, we couldn’t live if we had symmetric innards. PZ Myers just posted a really interesting article on the new discovery that snails use the same gene for asymmetry as we do. Some scientists idientified the gene, then knocked it out. The snails with that gene knocked out come out as straight tubes instead of curled up in an asymmetric manner.
For a science geek like me, it’s a pretty nifty experiement.
Categories: Kid Friendly, Science