You inherit 50% of your DNA from your mother and 50% from your father, making your DNA 50% different from each of them. While you share a significant portion of your genetic material, the unique combination creates your individual genetic makeup.
Here's a breakdown:
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50% from Each Parent: This is the fundamental principle of sexual reproduction. Each parent contributes half of your chromosomes.
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Unique Combination: The specific 50% you receive from each parent is a random selection from their own genetic material. This ensures that siblings, while sharing the same parents, don't have identical DNA (except for identical twins).
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Recombination: During the formation of sperm and egg cells (meiosis), a process called recombination occurs. This involves the shuffling and exchange of genetic material between chromosome pairs. This process creates even more variation in the DNA passed down.
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Mutations: While less significant, mutations can occur during DNA replication. These are small changes in the DNA sequence that can contribute to the difference between your DNA and your parents'.
| Parent | DNA Contribution |
|---|---|
| Mother | 50% |
| Father | 50% |
In summary, while you share 50% of your DNA with each parent, the specific combination, recombination, and potential mutations create a unique genetic profile that makes you distinct.
