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Related Concept Videos

The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

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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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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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Eukaryotic Evolution01:24

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The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
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Synteny and Evolution02:31

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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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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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Related Experiment Video

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Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase
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Hominin Brain Evolution: The Only Way Is Up?

Stephen Montgomery1

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.

Current Biology : CB
|July 25, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Human brain evolution involved more than just size increases. The Homo naledi brain endocast shows significant brain reorganisation played a key role in hominin development.

Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Neuroscience
  • Human Evolution

Background:

  • Traditional models of human brain evolution primarily emphasize the increase in cranial capacity and overall brain size.
  • The evolutionary trajectory of the hominin brain is complex and likely involves multiple factors beyond simple volumetric expansion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of brain reorganisation in human evolution using the Homo naledi fossil record.
  • To challenge the size-centric view of hominin brain evolution by examining structural changes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of the Homo naledi brain endocast.
  • Comparative neuroanatomy studies.
  • Paleontological data interpretation.

Main Results:

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  • The Homo naledi brain endocast provides evidence supporting significant brain reorganisation during hominin evolution.
  • Findings suggest that changes in brain structure, not just size, were critical in the evolutionary history of humans.

Conclusions:

  • Brain reorganisation is a crucial, often underestimated, component of human brain evolution.
  • The Homo naledi fossil contributes to a more nuanced understanding of hominin cognitive and neurological development.