BIO3466B - Lecture 5

Steve and Ava are in a science lab, and they are curious about the difference between Protein and DNA/RNA gel electrophoresis. Can you help them figure it out?

• DNA gels use agarose, while Protein ones use polyacrylamide

• Protein gels run horizontally, while DNA ones run vertically

• Different reagents, such that protein ones use SYBR

• DNA gels use coomasie blue (SDS-PAGE type)

Imagine you're a detective like Alexander, using DNA gel electrophoresis to solve mysteries. What are some intriguing applications of this technique?

• DN/DS ratio

• Protein levels

• Visualize a phylogenetic tree

• Parentage testing

What does DN/DS < 1 represent?

• Positive selection

• Neutral selection

• Purifying selection

• No selection

What is one of the main conclusions of Modern Synthesis?

• Saltationism

• No changes in allele frequencies

• Macroevolution is compatible with microevolution

• Drift is the main mechanism

Who expanded the neutral theory of evolution and is considered a hidden figure?

Small mutations can lead to:

• Lower fitness

• Distance the phenotype from the optimum

• Higher fitness

• Large mutations