Why is the number of genes that an organism possesses not an indication of its biological complexity?

Answer 1

The number of genes an organism possesses does not directly correlate with its biological complexity because gene function and regulation play critical roles in determining an organism's traits. For example, simpler organisms like certain bacteria can have a relatively large number of genes but exhibit straightforward biological processes. In contrast, more complex organisms, such as mammals, may have fewer genes but utilize intricate regulatory mechanisms, alternative splicing, and interactions between genes to achieve greater complexity. Additionally, environmental interactions, epigenetics, and developmental pathways significantly contribute to an organism's complexity beyond just gene count.