Explain how protein structures can be used to infer evolutionary relationships between organisms.
Instructor solution
Protein structures, determined by the sequence of amino acids, can reveal evolutionary relationships because similar structures often indicate a common ancestry. Proteins that perform similar functions in different organisms tend to have similar structures, suggesting that they evolved from a common ancestral protein. By comparing the three-dimensional structures of proteins, scientists can identify conserved regions and infer the evolutionary pathways that led to the current diversity of life.
Think you've got it?
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between protein structure and evolutionary relationships?
- A.
Protein structures are not useful for studying evolutionary relationships.
- B.
Protein structures do not change over time.
- C.
Protein structures are identical in all organisms.
- D.
Similar protein structures in different organisms suggest a common evolutionary origin.
You may exit out of this review and return later without penalty.