Why the microbiome contains far more genes than the human genome

The microbes in your body carry far more genes than you do

≈100× as many genes

The human body contains roughly as many bacterial cells as human cells. But those bacteria together carry an estimated two million genes, around 100 times the number of human genes. Their combined set of genes is therefore far larger than ours.

Colosseum seating showed Roman social rank

At Rome’s Colosseum, the emperor and senators were placed near the arena, while women, enslaved people, and the poorest citizens were assigned the highest gallery. The seating plan made social rank visible in the building itself.

Changes that helped toolmaking may also have improved throwing

As human ancestors became less adapted for climbing and better at making tools, their shoulders and arms changed. Some of those same changes also allowed faster, stronger, and more accurate throwing. Better throwing may therefore have grown partly from adaptations that first served other purposes.

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Why the microbiome contains far more genes than the human genome

The microbes in your body carry far more genes than you do

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