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12: Genomic Signatures of Evolution

  • Page ID
    149281
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    Our last chapter focuses on the way evolutionary processes affect genes and genomes -- it interprets the previous chapter in molecular terms. How does drift affect the nucleotide sequences of genes? Where do new genes come from? How is evolutionarily recent selection evident in the genome? Let's dig in.

    Learning Objectives

    If you have mastered the material in this chapter, you should be able to:

    • Interpret a phylogenetic tree

    • Describe, in broad strokes, the methods used to develop a phylogenetic tree, and build one yourself from shared characteristics

    • Define molecular clock and justify its use in estimating the divergence between two species

    • Distinguish between synonymous and nonsynonymous mutations and interpret the Ka/Ks ratio

    • Distinguish between homologous, orthologous and paralogous genes

    • Define “selective sweep” and interpret linkage disequilibrium data as indicative of a selective sweep.

     

    • 12.1: Phylogenetic Trees
      In scientific terms, the evolutionary history and relationship of an organism or group of organisms is called phylogeny. Phylogeny describes the relationships of an organism, such as from which organisms it is thought to have evolved, to which species it is most closely related, and so forth. Phylogenetic relationships provide information on shared ancestry but not necessarily on how organisms are similar or different.
    • 12.2: Determining Evolutionary Relationships
      Scientists must collect accurate information that allows them to make evolutionary connections among organisms. Similar to detective work, scientists must use evidence to uncover the facts. In the case of phylogeny, evolutionary investigations focus on two types of evidence: morphologic (form and function) and genetic.
    • 12.3: The Molecular Clock
    • 12.4: The Evolution of Genes
    • 12.5: Signatures of Selection


    12: Genomic Signatures of Evolution is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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