Biochemical Evidence for Evolution

Learning Goals: 1. I will be able to show examples of how amino acid differences show evolutionary connections between organisms 2. I will be able to give specific examples of current organisms that are showing microevolution

Amino Acid Differences in Organisms

What can alter the allele frequency in a population and move towards microevolution? 1. gene flow (flow of a different gene across a geographical barrier) 2. mutation (misread of DNA) 3. genetic drift (change in allele frequency due to reproduction) 4. non-random mating (mating with the strongest, fittest, brightest, loudest, mate) 5. natural selection (being best adapted for the environment)

Current Organisms Showing Evidence of Microevolution Table Corals (Phylum Cnidaria) most table corals bleach out in high temperature water researchers have discovered a species of coral that is withstanding the warmer oceans and not bleaching. This is due to a protein change (which means it is an amino acid change)

Current Organisms Showing Evidence of Microevolution Tawny Owl Tawny Owls usually have more white feathers than brown to use as camouflage in the snowy Finland environment. Due to decreased snow the environment is becoming more brown. The colouration is changing towards mainly brown feathers.

Biochemical Evidence for Evolution Lab Part A - Count the number of amino acids in each hemoglobin (horse, gorilla, human) Part B - Differences in sequences 1. Count each 2. Put numbers in charts (table 1 and 2) 3. Answer questions