What a Bird Brain

The coiled, thin strands are DNA (FOXP2 gene is one small part of) and the green are proteins that coil the DNA so it fits in your small cells.

Additionally, the gene FOXP2 seems to play a role in learning language. For instance, for young birds learning a new song, more FOXP2 protein is made. For birds such as canaries who learn new songs each year, FOXP2 gets made more each spring when learning the new melody.

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That complicated diagram on the page shows how the FOXP2 gene (the coiled lines) is part of the long DNA strand that is wrapped around the bright green proteins (histones). The gene and protein have been stained to be those colors.

Listen

Genes influence what proteins are made. Also, behavior and environment influences what genes are activated to make proteins! WOW!

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