Textbook Question
Identify and describe the evolutionary forces that can cause allele frequencies to change from one generation to the next.
Ch. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular Levels
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - The Molecular Basis of Heredity, Variation, and Evolution64
- Ch. 2 - Transmission Genetics144
- Ch. 3 - Cell Division and Chromosome Heredity81
- Ch. 4 - Gene Interaction87
- Ch. 5 - Genetic Linkage and Mapping in Eukaryotes103
- Ch. 6 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages73
- Ch. 7 - DNA Structure and Replication71
- Ch. 8 - Molecular Biology of Transcription and RNA Processing79
- Ch. 9 - The Molecular Biology of Translation110
- Ch. 10 - Eukaryotic Chromosome Abnormalities and Molecular Organization100
- Ch. 11 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Homologous Recombination86
- Ch. 12 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria and Bacteriophage90
- Ch. 13 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes38
- Ch. 14 - Analysis of Gene Function via Forward Genetics and Reverse Genetics72
- Ch. 15 - Recombinant DNA Technology and Its Applications69
- Ch. 16 - Genomics: Genetics from a Whole-Genome Perspective49
- Ch. 17 - Organelle Inheritance and the Evolution of Organelle Genomes27
- Ch. 18 - Developmental Genetics43
- Ch. 19 - Genetic Analysis of Quantitative Traits66
- Ch. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular Levels105
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooks
Sanders 3rd EditionCh. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular LevelsProblem D.2
Sanders 3rd EditionCh. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular LevelsProblem D.2Chapter 20, Problem D.2
What insights have analyses of human mitochondrial DNA provided into our recent evolutionary past?
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited maternally and does not undergo recombination, making it a powerful tool for tracing maternal lineages over time.
Recognize that by comparing mtDNA sequences from diverse human populations, scientists can construct phylogenetic trees that reveal relationships and estimate the timing of common ancestors.
Learn that analyses of mtDNA have supported the 'Out of Africa' hypothesis, indicating that all modern humans share a recent common maternal ancestor who lived in Africa approximately 100,000 to 200,000 years ago.
Explore how mtDNA variation helps identify population bottlenecks, migrations, and expansions in human history, providing insights into how humans dispersed across the globe.
Note that mtDNA studies complement other genetic data and fossil evidence, together building a comprehensive picture of recent human evolutionary history.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2mWas this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Characteristics
Mitochondrial DNA is a small, circular genome inherited maternally without recombination, making it a useful tool for tracing maternal lineages. Its high mutation rate allows for the detection of genetic differences over relatively short evolutionary timescales.
Recommended video:
Guided course
04:11
Organelle DNA Characteristics
Mitochondrial Eve and Human Evolution
Analyses of mtDNA have led to the concept of 'Mitochondrial Eve,' the most recent common maternal ancestor of all living humans, estimated to have lived in Africa about 150,000 to 200,000 years ago. This supports the 'Out of Africa' model of recent human evolution.
Recommended video:
Guided course
08:18Evolution
Population Genetics and Human Migration
mtDNA variation patterns help reconstruct human migration routes and population expansions by revealing genetic diversity and lineage splits. These analyses provide insights into how modern humans dispersed globally and adapted to different environments.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:03New Alleles and Migration
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Compare and contrast the terms in each of the following pairs:
A polymorphic trait and a polymorphic gene
Textbook Question
Compare and contrast the terms in each of the following pairs:
Founder effect and Genetic bottleneck
3
views
Textbook Question
In a population, what is the consequence of inbreeding? Does inbreeding change allele frequencies? What is the effect of inbreeding with regard to rare recessive alleles in a population?
Textbook Question
What lines of evidence support the hypothesis that modern humans evolved in Africa and then subsequently migrated throughout the globe?
Textbook Question
Describe how natural selection can produce balanced polymorphism of allele frequencies through selection that favors heterozygotes.