How many biologists recognize that the cell is a biochemical computer with molecular memory? I don't mean it is similar to a computer or analogous to a computer. The cell is one design that might be chosen by someone building a molecular level self replicating computer, particularly for robotic applications. The cell receives inputs,such as a protein, processes the inputs according to instructions in its memory and then produces a protein output. Biologists often think of the cell's memory, its chromosomes, as consisting of four bases and ignore the special way in which they are arranged. Each two bit "byte" consists of one of two sets of bases and one of the two members of the set will be in the "0 bit" position. This arrangment allows one bit to effectively represent two bits worth of information, a strategy also contemplated for quantum computers. Recognizing that the cell is a computer would help understand how the cell functions and the role of those sections of DNA sometimes referred to as "junk" DNA. For example, some of this DNA might function as a "data statement" -- an area of information used as values for various instructions.