DNA Analysis and Proteomics

Edexcel AS-level BiologyClassificationLesson 13 of 19

Molecular evidence is now central to classification. Because DNA is inherited, species that shared a common ancestor recently have had less time for mutations to build up, so their molecules are more similar.

DNA analysis
The base sequences of the same gene, or of whole genomes, are compared between species. The more similar the base sequences, the more closely the species are related. DNA gives the most detailed evidence, because it also includes changes that do not alter proteins: the genetic code is degenerate, so some base changes do not change the amino acid coded for.

Proteomics

More in Classification

• Other Species Models
• Limitations of Species Models
• Identifying a Species
• DNA Barcode
• New Evolutionary Models
• Biochemical Relationships
• More Biochemical Relationships
• Gel Electrophoresis

All 19 lessons in Classification · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics