A DNA system (or cellular system, if you must) processes commands/data and alters its output based upon those commands/data. No, it doesn't. It simply replicates itself. You start with 1 E. coli. cell. You end with 2^N E. coli cells, identical to the first. Inside the cell, the DNA sequences of the 2^N cells are identical to the first cell. It's a machine for self-replication. There is no alteration of output - unless, of course, you want to invoke evolution.
Turn off a gene with a new command, and the DNA system processing said gene but does not execute the rest of the gene's internal code (but as I've already noted - gee this is getting tiring, especially when dealing with people who should know better - as I've ALREADY noted, an expressive template system will copy something blindly - to turn off part of a template one must overwrite it, erase it, or delete it in that sort of system - ala a photocopier or camera).
Turning off and on the genes is just part of the machinery for self-replication, just as a camera shutter can open or close, or the aperture control is altered in response to light. My little digital camera changes all sorts of internal functions, in response to input, in order to produce more faithful output. Your E. coli may turn all sorts of things on and off, but in the end, the desired result is to produce two E. colis, both exactly like the original.
BTW, lose the patronizing remarks. On second thoughts, don't bother, I've said my piece; write anything you want.
A DNA
system (or cellular system, if you must) processes commands/data and alters its output based upon those commands/data. - Southack
"No, it doesn't. It simply replicates itself." - RW Professor
Once again, you are incorrect, however, you compound your error by not only being wrong, but deliberately ignoring the key word "system" above.
Contrary to your fanciful wishing, DNA systems do indeed process the commands and data that are stored by the bases A, C, G, and T in the genes that make up DNA.
This processing of commands and data is how the same (or very similar) processing systems create very different life forms, based upon the different data and commands that they process in the different DNA strands on this planet.
Nor is this "processing" simply an act of blind copying, as I've pointed out numerous times above in this thread.
A crystal can be grown through blind copying, but that's not at all what we see in life forms.
As cells process commands and data, they replicate their own DNA, even though some of the genes that they are copying are turned off.
Only systems that process, not merely copy/express, data and commands can achieve the feat of both replicating and ignoring a gene.
Look kid, I'm happy for you that some po-dunk school gave you the title of professor, but the longer you ignore the scientifically accepted fact that DNA systems / cellular systems store, replicate, and process genetic instructions and data, the longer it is going to look as though you are the one who needs more schooling than your students.