Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026
12:01
A PCR-based Genotyping Method to Distinguish Between Wild-type and Ornamental Varieties of Imperata cylindrica
Published on: February 20, 2012
32.3K
[Studies on genetic relationship of Dioscorea]
Summary
This study explores the chemical constituents of the Dioscorea genus, revealing steroidal sapogenins in Sect. Stenophora species. Chemotaxonomic analysis links chemical profiles to distinct pharmacodynamic effects and aids in understanding Dioscorea phylogeny.
Area of Science:
- Botany
- Chemotaxonomy
- Pharmacology
Context:
- The genus *Dioscorea* (yams) is diverse, with varied chemical profiles and medicinal uses.
- Morphological studies provide a foundation for understanding the genus's evolutionary and chemical relationships.
Purpose:
- To comprehensively review and analyze the chemical constituents isolated from the *Dioscorea* genus.
- To apply chemotaxonomic methods to correlate chemical composition with observed pharmacodynamic effects.
- To investigate the potential of chemotaxonomy in establishing the phylogeny of *Dioscorea*.
Summary:
- Morphological and chemical data were analyzed for the *Dioscorea* genus.
- Seventeen species within Sect. Stenophora were identified as containing steroidal sapogenins.
- Other *Dioscorea* species possess different primary compounds like polysaccharides and tannins, correlating with distinct effects.
Impact:
- This chemotaxonomic approach provides insights into the chemical diversity within *Dioscorea*.
- It highlights the link between specific chemical constituents (e.g., steroidal sapogenins) and biological activities.
- The study contributes to a better understanding of the evolutionary history and phylogenetic relationships of the *Dioscorea* genus.
Related Concept Videos
02:54Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
7.2K
Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
7.2K
01:18Dihybrid Crosses
82.4K
Overview
82.4K
01:18Dihybrid Crosses
7.8K
7.8K
02:31Synteny and Evolution
4.0K
John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral...
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral...
4.0K
02:27Trihybrid Crosses
26.5K
Trihybrid Crosses
Some of Mendel’s crosses examined three pairs of contrasting characteristics. Such a cross is called a trihybrid cross. A trihybrid cross is a combination of three individual monohybrid crosses. For example, plant height (tall vs. short), seed shape (round vs. wrinkled), and seed color (yellow vs. green).
The F1 generation plants of a trihybrid cross are heterozygous for all three traits and produce eight gametes. Upon self-fertilization, these gametes have an equal...
Some of Mendel’s crosses examined three pairs of contrasting characteristics. Such a cross is called a trihybrid cross. A trihybrid cross is a combination of three individual monohybrid crosses. For example, plant height (tall vs. short), seed shape (round vs. wrinkled), and seed color (yellow vs. green).
The F1 generation plants of a trihybrid cross are heterozygous for all three traits and produce eight gametes. Upon self-fertilization, these gametes have an equal...
26.5K
01:23Phylogeny
64.4K
Phylogeny is concerned with the evolutionary diversification of organisms or groups of organisms. A group of organisms with a name is called a taxon (singular). Taxa (plural) can span different levels of the evolutionary hierarchy. For instance, the group containing all birds is a taxon (comprising the class Aves), and the group of all species of daisies (the genus Bellis) is a taxon. Phylogenies can likewise include just one genus (i.e., depict species relationships) or span an entire kingdom.
64.4K