Prep 15 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Prep 15 - Essay Example In this case, variations in these isolated populations will be more as a result of genetic drift compared to natural selection. The molecular clock is a methodology in molecular evolution that uses rates of molecular change and fossil constraints to determine the time in geologic history when two species diverged. The technique is used to approximation the duration of occurrence of events called radiation or speciation. The molecular statistics used for such computations are usually for DNA sequences or amino acid sequences. It is possible to tell that the molecular clock is working because its principle of working is based on Charles Darwin theory of ev0lution. In addition, the concept of DNA sequence has been integrated in modern fossil dating techniques. In this case, the result obtained from molecular clock techniques are usually compared with those of other methodology. The molecular clock techniques yield desirable results when the species generations are not changing from time to time. The population size has to be sizeable to reduce the effect of genetic drift and the nature of protein studied requir es being stable. The neutral evolution theory, according to Sittyr (2009), is used for null hypothesis since it holds that the molecular evolutionary changes and other variation within species is not as a result of natural selection but by random drift of neutral mutant alleles. The concept is used to detect natural selection since it works to explain that genes do not experience natural selection but are affected by genetic drift. In this case, if the hypothesis of neutral evolution is not proven, then the national selection has taken place. When a synonymous, also referred to as silent mutation, occurs the change is frequently assumed to be neutral. This means that the ration of the organisms that are not affected by the mutation shows fitness of the individual with the new gene to reproduce and survive. Inbreeding is the production