Common Ancestry

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What is common ancestry?

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Common ancestry refers to the idea that different species share a common ancestor from which they have evolved over time.

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What is cytochrome c?

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Cytochrome c is a protein involved in cellular respiration, found in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells, and is used to compare genetic relationships among species.

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How can amino acid sequences indicate genetic relationships?

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Similarities in amino acid sequences among different species suggest a closer genetic relationship, as they may have evolved from a common ancestor.

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What is the significance of DNA in understanding common ancestry?

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DNA contains the genetic information necessary for the synthesis of proteins, and similarities in DNA sequences can indicate evolutionary relationships.

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Who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?

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Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection, explaining how species evolve over time through the survival of the fittest.

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What does it mean for species to have structural similarities?

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Structural similarities indicate that species may share a common ancestor and have evolved similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

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What is the role of proteins in evolutionary biology?

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Proteins, made from amino acids, are essential for life and their similarities across species can provide evidence for common ancestry.

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What is a phylogenetic tree?

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A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

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What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

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Homologous structures are similar due to shared ancestry, while analogous structures are similar due to convergent evolution, not common ancestry.

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What evidence supports the theory of evolution?

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Evidence for evolution includes fossil records, comparative anatomy, molecular biology, and biogeography.