Is most of our DNA junk? Please read the NEW YORK TIMES story and reflect on the following (some of these answers will require additional research):

1) Do you think that non-coding DNA serves a purpose? Why or Why not?

2) Identify an article in the published literature that demonstrates that non-coding or junk DNA is actually serving a purpose. Provide the reference to the source and a summary of the paper’s findings.

3) If non-coding DNA serves a purpose, why do onions have so much more DNA than humans do, yet they seem to be much less complex than a human?

4) Compare the function of non-coding DNA in humans and bacteria. Discuss findings that have been identified regarding microRNAs in humans and smallRNAs in bacteria.