Week 5 Molecular And Human Evolution Flashcards
What is molecular evolution?
The study of evolutionary changes at the molecular level, including DNA and protein sequences.
Why is molecular data used in evolution studies?
Because the fossil record has gaps, especially for soft-bodied and microorganisms; DNA fills in the blanks.
How do genomes evolve?
Through mutations and recombination; changes must become fixed in the population to contribute to evolution.
What are types of mutations?
Base changes, insertions, deletions, and chromosomal rearrangements.
What is a phylogenetic tree?
A diagram that shows evolutionary relationships based on genetic similarities and differences.
What are the steps to build a phylogenetic tree?
1) Choose homologous genes, 2) Align sequences, 3) Compare similarities, 4) Build the tree.
What types of DNA are useful for phylogenetic analysis?
Mitochondrial DNA and ribosomal RNA genes.
Why is mitochondrial DNA used in evolution studies?
It doesn’t recombine, is maternally inherited, and simplifies evolutionary interpretations.
What is gene family evolution?
Gene families evolve through duplication and divergence from an ancestral gene.
What is a pseudogene?
A gene that has lost its function due to mutations.
What genes are involved in haemoglobin production?
Alpha, beta, delta, gamma, zeta, and epsilon chains located on chromosomes 16 and 11.
What does the FOXP2 gene do?
Involved in language and speech development in humans.
Who are hominins?
Humans and our close extinct relatives.
What are key traits of human evolution?
Bipedalism, increased brain size, tool use, cultural behaviour, and language.
What is the ‘Out of Africa’ theory?
Homo sapiens evolved in Africa and migrated globally, replacing other hominins.
What does mitochondrial DNA suggest about human origins?
Low diversity across populations supports a recent common African ancestor (monogenesis model).
What is the Mitochondrial Eve hypothesis?
A flawed but influential idea that all humans descend from a single female based on mtDNA data.
What did Neanderthal genome sequencing reveal?
Modern humans have 1–2% Neanderthal DNA, showing interbreeding occurred.
What are the two models of human origin?
Multiregional model and Monogenesis (Out of Africa) model.
Which model is supported by genetic data?
The Monogenesis model – supported by mtDNA and whole-genome comparisons.
