Humans share about 60% of their DNA with apples. This might sound surprising, but it highlights the fact that all living organisms share a common genetic code. DNA is the blueprint for building and maintaining life, and it contains instructions for everything from our physical traits to our biochemical processes.
The shared DNA doesn’t mean that humans are similar to apples in form or function. Instead, it indicates that many fundamental biological processes are conserved across different species, even those that are vastly different in appearance and role. For example, the basic mechanisms of cellular processes and the structure of certain proteins can be found in both apples and humans.
In a way, this shared DNA underscores the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. Evolution has shaped different species over millions of years, but many of the building blocks of life remain the same, no matter how distant the relation. So, while you may not see an apple as a close relative, on a genetic level, we share quite a bit!