Life: The Science of Biology
Life: The Science of Biology
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781319010164
Author: David E. Sadava, David M. Hillis, H. Craig Heller, Sally D. Hacker
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
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Chapter 23, Problem 1Q
Summary Introduction

To review:

The relationship between the number of synonymous substitutions and the years of divergence between each pair of species, with the help of a graph. Also, estimate the rates of synonymous substitutions per million years and per generation for the complete axon on a per-site basis.

Given:

In the given study, a hypothetical gene encodes for the transcription factor in various species of Drosophila. According to the diagram (Figure 1) given below, one exon of this gene is sequenced in four species.

Life: The Science of Biology, Chapter 23, Problem 1Q , additional homework tip  1

Figure 1: Million of years ago.

The matrix shows the number of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions between pairs of different Drosophila species, which evolved as a result of evolution. There are 2,000 nonsynonymous and 600 synonymous substitutions sites of the exon (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Matrix showing the number of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions between pairs of species of Drosophila.

Life: The Science of Biology, Chapter 23, Problem 1Q , additional homework tip  2

Introduction:

Biologists are able to make inference about the type of natural selection, by the study based on molecular evolutionary patterns of genes. These inferences are important to know, about the gene functioning and how they evolve over the time, in response to the new function and conditions.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Explanation of Solution

According to the given analysis, there are, on an average, 54 synonymous substitutions occurs between the lineages. These lineages were diverged 18 million years ago. So, there are about 1.5 synonymous substitutions per million year for the entire exon.

Therefore, the information used for calculation of the rate is:

Time period: 18 million years ago

Substitution per million years: 1.5

Lineages: 2

Generation per year: 5

Synonymous sites: 600

Thus, for rate of substitution per generation is:

90,000,000 years × 2 lineages × 5 generations/year × 0.0000003 synonymous substitutions/generation = 3×10-7

Similarly, the rate of substitution per site is:

(90,000,000 years × 2 lineages × 5 generations/year × 0.0000003 synonymous substitutions/generation)/600 synonymous site = 5 × 10−10

Graph given below shows number of substitution along with millions of years.

Life: The Science of Biology, Chapter 23, Problem 1Q , additional homework tip  3

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that the rates are 3 ×10−7 per generations and 5 × 10−10 per site.

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