Question

How is a human body a genomic mosaic?

Short answer

A human body is a genomic mosaic because not all cells carry the exact same genetic information. This is mainly due to factors like mutations and errors in cell division, resulting in groups of cells having subtly different genetic codes, thereby making the human body a genomic mosaic.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the concept of Genomes

A genome comprises all the DNA in an organism, including its genes. In humans, about 2% of the DNA makes up genes that code for proteins. It's essentially the 'blueprint' or set of instructions for building and maintaining that organism. It's passed from parents to offspring, thus, in a simple view, each cell should contain the same genetic information.

Comprehend the concept of Mosaicism

Mosaicism occurs when an individual has different cells that contain different genetic information (DNA). This might be due to mutation, deletion or addition of genes during cell division. As a result, one individual may have populations of cells with different genetic makeup.

Combine the two concepts

In the context of genomic mosaicism in humans, it means that not all cells of a human body have the exact same genetic information. The genomic mosaic is formed through various biological events like DNA mutation and cell division errors throughout a person's lifetime. For instance, when a DNA strand copies incorrectly, it will result in a different genetic sequence in that particular cell. If the cell divides, it leads to a group of cells with this new genetic code, diverging from the original genome.