MOLECULAR CLOCK Meaning and
Definition
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A molecular clock refers to a scientific concept used in evolutionary biology and genetics to estimate the time of divergence between two species by analyzing the rate at which their DNA sequences accumulate mutations. It operates on the assumption that mutations accumulate in the DNA sequence of genes at a relatively constant rate over time, meaning that the more time has passed since two species diverged, the greater the number of accumulated mutations in their DNA.
By comparing the genomic sequences of different species and measuring the differences in their DNA sequences, scientists can estimate the time since their last common ancestor. This estimation is based on the idea that the number of genetic differences between species is proportional to the time since their divergence. In other words, species that diverged more recently should share more similarities in their DNA sequences.
The molecular clock concept has been applied to various fields of study, including the evolution of organisms, molecular phylogenetics, and the understanding of genetic changes over time. It offers insights into the evolutionary history, relationships, and timescales of different species. However, it should be noted that the concept of the molecular clock assumes a constant mutation rate, which may not always be accurate due to factors such as genetic and environmental influences.
Common Misspellings for MOLECULAR CLOCK
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Etymology of MOLECULAR CLOCK
The term "molecular clock" was coined by Emile Zuckerkandl and Linus Pauling, two American scientists, in their seminal paper published in 1962 titled "Molecular Disease, Evolution, and Genetic Heterogeneity". The etymology of the term can be broken down as follows:
1. Molecular: The term "molecular" refers to the biological concept of studying phenomena at the molecular level, specifically in the realm of genetics and molecular biology. It pertains to the study of molecules, such as genes and proteins, and their interactions within living organisms.
2. Clock: The term "clock" is used metaphorically here to describe a method or tool that measures time or estimates the age of something. In the case of the molecular clock, it refers to the use of genetic changes (mutations) over time as a measure for estimating the evolutionary divergence between species or the time since their common ancestors.
