evidence for LUCA Flashcards
What is the genetic code and how does it relate to LUCA?
The genetic code is universal, consisting of 64 codons, each representing an amino acid, a start, or a stop signal. This suggests all species inherited the code from a common ancestor.
Why is the genetic code considered universal?
The genetic code is the same in all species, making it highly unlikely that different species would use the same code by chance.
What is the most likely reason all species share the same genetic code?
The universal genetic code suggests all species inherited it from a common ancestor, known as LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor).
What is convergent evolution?
Convergent evolution is when similar structures evolve in organisms that do not share a recent common ancestor. This is not the reason for the universal genetic code.
What is LUCA?
LUCA stands for Last Universal Common Ancestor. It is the most recent common ancestor from which all living organisms evolved.
How do protein families support the idea of LUCA?
Over 350 protein families are found in prokaryotes, each with an evolutionary fingerprint tracing back to a common ancestor, supporting the idea of LUCA.
Why did other forms of life likely become extinct?
Other forms of life probably evolved but became extinct due to competition from LUCA or species that evolved from LUCA, as a result of natural selection.
