Chapter 1, Problem 12P

Summary Introduction

To explain: One or more possible explanations for the slower rate of evolutionary change in the human lineage versus the rat lineage.

Introduction:

There are 10 million living species on earth. Each species is different and reproduces successfully. The rat being small and rapid breeder it has become the model for the vertebrate molecular genetics. Mutation rates are more in rat due to shorter life span than humans, as rats undergo more number of reproductions during a single human life span.