3 Questions
What is Mitochondrial Eve thought to have lived in?
Africa
What is the molecular clock theory based on?
A constant rate of mutation
What is used to show evolutionary relationships between species?
DNA
Study Notes
- DNA can be used to show evolutionary relationships between species
- DNA is found in the nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplasts of cells
- Differences between the nucleotide sequences (DNA) of different species can provide a lot of information: for example, two groups of organisms with very similar DNA will have separated into separate species more recently than two groups with less similarity in their DNA sequences.
- DNA sequence analysis and comparison can also be used to create family trees that show the evolutionary relationships between species.
- Mitochondrial DNA is only passed on or inherited by the zygote, and there is no crossing over that occurs in mtDNA
- The lack of crossing over in mtDNA has allowed scientists to research the origins of species, genetic drift and migration events
- Mitochondrial Eve is thought to have lived in Africa ~200,000 years ago based on the molecular clock theory
- The estimation of this date relies on the molecular clock theory, which assumes there is a constant rate of mutation over time
- Fossils and carbon dating can be used to calibrate the molecular clock
- Paternal mtDNA may also be present in zygotes, which is recent research.
Test your knowledge on DNA and its role in showing evolutionary relationships between species. Explore concepts such as nucleotide sequences, mitochondrial DNA, molecular clock theory, and the use of DNA analysis in creating family trees that demonstrate evolutionary connections.
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