Applications Paleogenetics

1 applications

1.1 evolution

1.1.1 human evolution


1.2 evolution of culture

applications
evolution

similar sequences found along protein polypeptide chains in different species. similarity directly linked sequence of dna (the genetic material of organism). due improbability of being random chance, , consistency long attributed convergence natural selection, these similarities can plausibly linked existence of common ancestor common genes. allows polypeptide sequences compared between species, , difference between 2 genetic sequences can used determine - within error - time @ common ancestor existed.

human evolution

using thigh bone of neanderthal female, 63% of neanderthal genome uncovered , 3.7 billion bases of dna decoded. showed homo neanderthalensis closest living relative of homo sapiens, until former lineage died out 30,000 years ago. neanderthal genome shown within range of variation of of anatomically modern humans, although @ far periphery of range of variation. paleogenetic analysis suggests neanderthals shared more dna chimpanzees homo sapiens. found neanderthals less genetically diverse modern humans are, indicates homo neanderthalensis grew group composed of relatively few individuals. dna sequences suggest homo sapiens first appeared between 130,000 , 250,000 years ago in africa.

paleogenetics opens many new possibilities study of hominid evolution , dispersion. analyzing genomes of hominid remains, lineage can traced came, or share common ancestor. denisova hominid, species of hominid found in siberia dna able extracted, may show signs of having genes not found in neanderthal nor homo sapiens genome, possibly representing new lineage or species of hominid.

evolution of culture

looking @ dna can give insight lifestyles of people of past. neandertal dna shows lived in small temporary communities. dna analysis can show dietary restrictions , mutations, such fact homo neanderthalensis lactose-intolerant.