Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.

The Evidence for Evolution

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.

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

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.
In contrast, regions which code...

Eukaryotic Evolution

Eukaryotic Evolution

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.
Contrary to the endosymbiont theory, the eukaryote-first hypothesis proposes that the simpler prokaryotic and...

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

Genetic transfer occurs when genetic information is passed from one organism to another. It occurs via two mechanisms: vertical gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer. Vertical gene transfer occurs when genetic information is transferred from one generation to the next, which happens much more frequently than horizontal gene transfer. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are forms of vertical gene transfer, where one or more organisms pass some or all of their genome onto their progeny.

Genetic Drift

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

A haplotype-resolved nutmeg genome reveals XY sex chromosome evolution and enables molecular sexing.

Communications biology·2026

Same author

<i>Acropora millepora</i> 's microbiome is predicted by algal symbionts, host genetics, and environment.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Same author

No evidence for sex-differential transcriptomes driving genome-wide sex-differential natural selection.

American journal of human genetics·2025

Same author

Two decades of bacterial ecology and evolution in a freshwater lake.

Nature microbiology·2025

Same author

The battle of the sexes in humans is highly polygenic.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2024

Same author

ProSeq4: A user-friendly multiplatform program for preparation and analysis of large-scale DNA polymorphism datasets.

Molecular ecology resources·2024

Same journal

Environmental microbes as modulators of plant volatile landscapes: Implications for plant-insect chemical communication.

Trends in microbiology·2026

Same journal

Beyond AMGs: Phage-encoded transcription and sigma factors as understudied virocell reprogramming tools.

Trends in microbiology·2026

Same journal

Cronobacter spp.

Trends in microbiology·2026

Same journal

Anaerobic lignin deconstruction: A game changer for lignocellulosic biorefineries.

Trends in microbiology·2026

Same journal

Critical role of the inflammatory rheostat in influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis.

Trends in microbiology·2026

Same journal

Structure-based prokaryotic transcription shapes adaptation and host-invader interplay.

Trends in microbiology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2025

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Published on: September 20, 2016

How does evolution work in superabundant microbes?

Dmitry A Filatov¹, Mark Kirkpatrick²

¹Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK.

Trends in Microbiology

|February 15, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Marine phytoplankton are vital to Earth's processes, driving primary production and carbon cycling. Studying their evolution in massive populations offers unique insights into microevolutionary adaptation in a changing climate.

Keywords:

evolution evolutionary genetic methods genetic diversity marine plankton population size superabundant microbes

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Published on: June 14, 2024

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Published on: August 18, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2025

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Published on: September 20, 2016

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Published on: June 14, 2024

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Published on: August 18, 2023

Area of Science:

Marine biology
Evolutionary genetics
Microbial ecology

Background:

Marine phytoplankton are essential for global primary production and the ocean's biological carbon pump.
Understanding plankton adaptation to environmental change is critical.
Microevolution, driven by genetic drift and natural selection, explains allele frequency changes in populations.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss the unique evolutionary dynamics of superabundant microbes (SAMs) compared to less abundant organisms.
To explore the opportunities and challenges in studying evolution within astronomically large microbial populations.
To highlight the importance of evolutionary genetics for understanding plankton adaptation.

Main Methods:

Conceptual analysis of evolutionary processes in large microbial populations.
Review of existing knowledge on marine phytoplankton and microevolution.
Discussion of theoretical frameworks for studying SAM evolution.

Main Results:

Evolution in SAMs may differ fundamentally from that in smaller populations.
Large population sizes present unique research opportunities and challenges.
Specific examples include Gephyrocapsa huxleyi and Prochlorococcus 'marinus'.

Conclusions:

Evolutionary genetic approaches are crucial for understanding plankton adaptation.
The study of SAMs offers novel avenues for evolutionary biology research.
Addressing the unique aspects of SAM evolution is an urgent priority for marine science.