Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
Exon Recombination02:32

Exon Recombination

The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes. 
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation01:10

Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation

The development of all multicellular organisms starts with the fusion of haploid cells called sperm and egg to form a diploid zygote. A zygote is a totipotent cell that can develop into a complete organism. The zygote undergoes cell division or cleavage to form an 8-cell mass. Until this stage, the cells are spherical, loosely attached, and remain totipotent. Totipotent cells are capable of developing both the embryonic and the extraembryonic tissues. However, as they continue to divide, they...
Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

Gene Duplication and Divergence

The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was  generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Phospholipid vesicles as a model system for biomineralization.

Nature·2018
Same author

Ernesto Carafoli: A personal appreciation.

Biochemical and biophysical research communications·2015
Same author

Iron in evolution.

FEBS letters·2011
Same author

Chemical advances in evolution by and changes in use of space during time.

Journal of theoretical biology·2010
Same author

A comparison of types of catalyst: the quality of metallo-enzymes.

Journal of inorganic biochemistry·2007
Same author

Life, the environment and our ecosystem.

Journal of inorganic biochemistry·2007
Same journal

The chemistry of the cobalt corrinoids - Recent advances and emerging themes. Part 3. Cobalamins and health.

Journal of inorganic biochemistry·2026
Same journal

PIKfyve-specific Pt(II)-based targeted drug conjugate in treatment of ovarian cancer through multi-mode actions.

Journal of inorganic biochemistry·2026
Same journal

From PET to targeted radionuclide therapy in the Brain: The emerging role of radiometal-based platforms.

Journal of inorganic biochemistry·2026
Same journal

The chemistry of the cobalt corrinoids - Recent advances and emerging themes. Part 2. The biochemistry, microbiology, and ecology.

Journal of inorganic biochemistry·2026
Same journal

Substituent effects in picolinic acid-derived silver(I) and zinc(II) complexes: Structure, stability, DNA interactions and therapeutic potential.

Journal of inorganic biochemistry·2026
Same journal

Cadmium(II) imidazole coordination complexes as selective antifungal agents against resistant Candida: Insights into protein binding, electrochemistry, and CYP51 binding predictions.

Journal of inorganic biochemistry·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a Bioindicator for Zinc-Limited Growth Conditions in Mycobacteria
08:24

Using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a Bioindicator for Zinc-Limited Growth Conditions in Mycobacteria

Published on: September 20, 2024

Zinc in evolution.

R J P Williams1

  • 1Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, London, UK. Bob.Williams@chem.ox.ac.uk

Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry
|August 3, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study explores zinc biochemistry, dividing zinc proteins into two classes based on their role and exchange rates. Organism complexity evolved alongside oxygen levels and zinc availability, shaping life

More Related Videos

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells
13:04

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells

Published on: May 16, 2019

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay
07:55

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay

Published on: June 2, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a Bioindicator for Zinc-Limited Growth Conditions in Mycobacteria
08:24

Using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a Bioindicator for Zinc-Limited Growth Conditions in Mycobacteria

Published on: September 20, 2024

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells
13:04

Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells

Published on: May 16, 2019

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay
07:55

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay

Published on: June 2, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Geochemistry

Background:

  • Early research focused on zinc enzymes, particularly with Vallee.
  • Zinc biochemistry evolved significantly after initial studies.
  • Organismal complexity is linked to environmental changes and element availability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and contextualize zinc biochemistry in the evolution of life.
  • To classify zinc-binding proteins based on function and evolutionary origin.
  • To explore the relationship between oxygen levels, zinc availability, and organismal complexity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of early and subsequent work on zinc biochemistry.
  • Classification of zinc proteins into two main categories.
  • Correlation of organismal complexity with geological and atmospheric changes.

Main Results:

  • Zinc proteins are categorized into enzymes (prokaryotes/eukaryotes, low exchange) and regulatory proteins (eukaryotes, high exchange).
  • Organismal complexity increased in three stages, coinciding with two major oxygenation events.
  • Rising oxygen levels correlated with increased oceanic zinc, driving evolutionary adaptations.

Conclusions:

  • The evolution of life's complexity is intrinsically tied to environmental shifts, particularly oxygen and zinc availability.
  • Organisms developed mechanisms to utilize or mitigate changes in elemental availability.
  • Despite environmental stability post-0.5 Ga, life's diversity expanded significantly.