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Related Concept Videos

Synteny and Evolution02:31

Synteny and Evolution

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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.
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Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons02:54

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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...
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Convergent Evolution01:54

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Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
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The Evidence for Evolution02:55

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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.
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Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

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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.
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Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

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The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
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Optimized Bone Sampling Protocols for the Retrieval of Ancient DNA from Archaeological Remains
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DNA DIVERGENCE AMONG HOMINOIDS.

Adalgisa Caccone1, Jeffrey R Powell1

  • 1Department of Biology, Yale University, P.O. Box 6666, New Haven, CT, 06511.

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|June 1, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Humans

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Area of Science:

  • Primate evolutionary biology
  • Molecular anthropology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Understanding the evolutionary relationships among the Hominoidea (great apes and humans) is crucial for tracing human origins.
  • Previous phylogenetic studies have yielded varying results, necessitating robust molecular evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the degree of single-copy DNA divergence among extant Hominoidea species.
  • To establish the phylogenetic position of humans relative to other great apes and gibbons.
  • To estimate divergence times using a molecular clock approach.

Main Methods:

  • DNA-DNA hybridization technique was employed to measure genetic divergence.
  • Methods controlled for base composition and duplex length, factors influencing DNA duplex thermal stability.
  • Multiple individuals per species were analyzed to account for intraspecific variation.

Main Results:

  • Chimpanzees are the closest extant relatives of humans, followed by gorillas, then orangutans and gibbons.
  • Statistical analysis showed minimal overlap between taxa, strongly supporting the phylogenetic conclusions.
  • Orangutan subspecies from Borneo and Sumatra were found to be genetically distinct.

Conclusions:

  • The study confirms the close evolutionary relationship between humans and chimpanzees, supported by molecular data.
  • A molecular clock analysis estimated the human-chimpanzee divergence at 6-8 million years ago.
  • Distinct genetic divergence between Bornean and Sumatran orangutans suggests subspecies-level differentiation.