91Ó°ÊÓ

A scientist decides to investigate the evolutionary connection between closely related bacteria. Which gene would be a good choice to use for establishing relatedness, a very well conserved gene or a poorly conserved sequence? Explain your reasoning. a. A very well conserved gene would be a good choice, because well conserved genes undergo sufficient changes during relatively short times, which allows for the study of recent evolutionary events. Well-conserved genes do not undergo changes during short durations. b. A poorly conserved gene would be a good choice, because poorly conserved genes show sequence similarity, which is used as evidence of evolutionary relationships between sequences. c. A poorly conserved gene would be a good choice, because poorly conserved genes undergo sufficient changes during relatively short times, which allows for the study of recent evolutionary events. d. A very well conserved gene would be a good choice, because well conserved genes show sequence similarity, which is used as evidence of evolutionary relationships between sequences.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Problem

The question asks about selecting a gene for establishing evolutionary relatedness between closely related bacteria. The option involves well-conserved genes and poorly conserved sequences.

02

Defining Conserved Genes

Well-conserved genes are those that remain relatively unchanged over long periods of evolutionary time. They are similar across different species due to the slow rate of mutations.

03

Defining Poorly Conserved Genes

Poorly conserved genes, on the other hand, undergo rapid changes and mutations over shorter periods of time, thus showing greater variability across species.

04

Analyzing the Requirement

To establish evolutionary relatedness among closely related bacteria, the gene used should show sequence similarity to display evolutionary relationships. Well-conserved genes are preferred for studying evolutionary relationships.

05

Evaluating Options

Option a and c suggest poorly conserved genes undergo sufficient changes in short times, but we need sequence similarity found in well-conserved genes relevant to evolutionary connections. Option b is incorrect because poorly conserved genes may not show sequence similarity. Option d is correct, highlighting that well-conserved genes portray sequence similarity crucial for this purpose.

06

Choosing the Correct Option

Option d correctly states: 'A very well conserved gene would be a good choice, because well-conserved genes show sequence similarity, which is used as evidence of evolutionary relationships between sequences.'

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

• Full Textbook Solutions

  Get detailed explanations and key concepts

• Unlimited Al creation

  Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

• Ads-free access

  To over 500 millions flashcards

• Money-back guarantee

  We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

conserved genes

Conserved genes are those that remain relatively unchanged across different species over long periods of evolutionary time. These genes have essential functions for survival, which is why they do not accumulate many mutations. This makes conserved genes stable and similar in their sequence among various organisms.
By studying conserved genes, scientists can trace back and understand evolutionary connections between different species. For closely related bacteria, utilizing conserved genes can help map out evolutionary relationships by comparing their genetic makeup.

• Conserved genes mutate slowly.
• Presence in multiple species ensures study relevance.
• Key in understanding genetic stability and evolution.

Conservation in sequences provides a strong base to conclude evolutionary relatedness, ideal for tracking lineage, especially in closely related bacteria.

sequence similarity

Sequence similarity refers to the degree of resemblance between nucleotide sequences. Higher sequence similarity implies a closer evolutionary relationship. In the context of evolutionary biology, scientists compare sequences to establish how closely different organisms are related.
By examining conserved genes, researchers look for high sequence similarity. This approach is critical because sequences that remain conserved across species indicate they share a common ancestor. This similarity enables the transfer of genetic information and understanding evolutionary patterns.

• Closer similarity equals closer evolutionary ties.
• Significant in molecular phylogenetics.
• Essential for identifying homologous genes across species.

In summary, high sequence similarity in conserved genes is a solid method to evaluate evolutionary connections among organisms, providing insight into their shared history.

evolutionary relationships

Evolutionary relationships explain how different species are connected through common ancestors. By understanding these relationships, scientists can map out the tree of life, showing how various organisms have diverged and evolved over time.
Investigating well-conserved genes helps establish these connections due to their stable nature. Since conserved genes change slowly, they provide long-term evolutionary signals that indicate common ancestry. These genes help construct phylogenetic trees, assisting in deciphering the evolutionary history of species.

• Reflects lineage and diversification of species.
• Uses genetic data to trace ancestry.
• Phlyogenetic trees visualize relationships.

Overall, understanding evolutionary relationships through conserved genes is crucial for comprehending the broad picture of life's history, tracing lineage, and studying the diversification of species.