investigating diversity

Question 1

comparing observable characteristics

Answer 1

-based on the assumption that observable characteristics are determined by genes with environment
-variety of characteristics depends on variety of alleles
-most characteristics are polygenic therefore not just one gene codes for them
-characteristics can be determined or influenced by the environment
-this method has been replaced by direct observations of the genetic sequence

Question 2

comparison of DNA base sequences

Answer 2

-we can now determine the exact order of nucleotides on a DNA sequence
-sequencing performed on computers using colour tagged bases with fluorescent dye A green T red G yellow C blue
-analysis of the patterns of coloured bands shows us the comparison of one species and another to determine diversity
- overtime mutations occur and DNA sequences change
-we would expect similar evolutionary species to have less differences in base sequences

Question 3

comparison of base sequences in mRNA

Answer 3

• can aslo compare diversity using the sequences of mRNA because it is identical to the DNA it was derived from