Why do tomatoes have more genes than humans?

The tomato genome has been decoded! Plant geneticists from 14 different countries spent the last nine years mapping the genetic makeup of the tomato, and have discovered that the tomato contains 31,760 genes - that's 7,000 more genes than a human being! read more

The tomato, whose genome has just now been decoded, turns out to be one well-endowed vegetable, possessing 31,760 genes. This rich legacy, possibly a reflection of the disaster that killed off the dinosaurs, is some 7,000 more than that of a person, and presents a complex puzzle to scientists who hope to understand its secrets. read more

There could be a number of reasons why, but one of them is that there is less alternative splicing happening in tomato plants (and other related plants, like potatoes and nightshade species). Part of the reason for this is most likely due to the fact that the lineage has “experienced two consecutive genome triplications” (from The tomato genome sequence provides insights into fleshy fruit evolution). read more

The tomato genome has been decoded! Plant geneticists from 14 different countries spent the last nine years mapping the genetic makeup of the tomato, and have discovered that the tomato contains 31,760 genes - that's 7,000 more genes than a human being! The tomato's genome is actually closer to that of a potato. read more