By comparing DNA of animals and other organisms with one another, scientists used this evidence to prove that evolution was indeed real. Evidence proves that particular animals have remarkably similar DNA bases with some variation. Scientists studied and compared the variations between them making logical observations and explanations related to evolution.
Charles Darwin originally hypothesised that all life came from the same source and life was based on survival of the fittest. Comparison of DNA effectively proved this due to the fact that if all life did indeed come from the same ancestor, then the DNA sequence would be similar. The concept of survival of the fittest and natural selection is reinforced by mutations. DNA sequences produce errors along the way producing offspring with certain mutations. This provides solid evidence of evolution as scientists can then determine if the species have inherited the mutations, comparing DNA. Like Darwin’s original “tree of life”, scientific analysis and comparison of DNA have produced family trees and timelines of species
Perhaps one of the most common concepts of evolution is the idea of humans evolving from chimpanzees. It has been proved using the genomes of mitochondria which are present in all eukaryotic (contain a nucleus) organisms, that humans share a 98% similar genome with chimpanzees. This makes chimpanzees our closest living relative, thus proving the hypothesis that may very well have evolved from chimpanzees. Specific DNA sequencing using the β haemoglobin gene was also tested and provided further evidence to prove this hypothesis.
A case study that took place over 35 years on the Galapagos Islands on finches took DNA samples from almost every finch on the island. Peter and Rosemary Grant, the scientists examined the DNA to find evolutionary evidence in just 2 years. They found that evolution is not a process which just takes place over millions of years but is constantly happening and can be achieved in a short time.
Our sequences are 99.9% identical and we only have about 25 000 genes. When other DNA of animals were sequenced, it was discovered that mammals-lions, pigs cows and elephants also have 3 billion bases of DNA about 25 000 genes. Mario Capecchi said that a mouse and a man have a 99% chance that the mouse will have a corresponding very similar gene. Thus there is significant evidence using DNA comparison which does indeed aid in proving the theory of evolution.
Charles Darwin originally hypothesised that all life came from the same source and life was based on survival of the fittest. Comparison of DNA effectively proved this due to the fact that if all life did indeed come from the same ancestor, then the DNA sequence would be similar. The concept of survival of the fittest and natural selection is reinforced by mutations. DNA sequences produce errors along the way producing offspring with certain mutations. This provides solid evidence of evolution as scientists can then determine if the species have inherited the mutations, comparing DNA. Like Darwin’s original “tree of life”, scientific analysis and comparison of DNA have produced family trees and timelines of species
Perhaps one of the most common concepts of evolution is the idea of humans evolving from chimpanzees. It has been proved using the genomes of mitochondria which are present in all eukaryotic (contain a nucleus) organisms, that humans share a 98% similar genome with chimpanzees. This makes chimpanzees our closest living relative, thus proving the hypothesis that may very well have evolved from chimpanzees. Specific DNA sequencing using the β haemoglobin gene was also tested and provided further evidence to prove this hypothesis.
A case study that took place over 35 years on the Galapagos Islands on finches took DNA samples from almost every finch on the island. Peter and Rosemary Grant, the scientists examined the DNA to find evolutionary evidence in just 2 years. They found that evolution is not a process which just takes place over millions of years but is constantly happening and can be achieved in a short time.
Our sequences are 99.9% identical and we only have about 25 000 genes. When other DNA of animals were sequenced, it was discovered that mammals-lions, pigs cows and elephants also have 3 billion bases of DNA about 25 000 genes. Mario Capecchi said that a mouse and a man have a 99% chance that the mouse will have a corresponding very similar gene. Thus there is significant evidence using DNA comparison which does indeed aid in proving the theory of evolution.