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DNA-sequencing studies for a gene in populations of two closely related species

ID: 69749 • Letter: D

Question

DNA-sequencing studies for a gene in populations of two closely related species produce the following numbers of sites that vary:

Synonymous polymorphisms

50

Nonsynonymous polymorphisms

20

Nonsynonymous species differences

2

Synonymous species differences

18

Does this result support a neutral evolution of the gene? Does it support and adaptive replacement of amino acids? What explanation would you offer for the observations?

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Synonymous polymorphisms

50

Nonsynonymous polymorphisms

20

Nonsynonymous species differences

2

Synonymous species differences

18

Explanation / Answer

Synonymous SNP is the one that changes codon within the amino acid and non synonymous SNP is the one that changes the codon between amino acid.

For a neutral evolution of a gene the ratio of variable synonymous polymorphism must be equal to non synonymous differences between species.

Adaptive replacement of amino acids occur as a result of increased non synonymous divergence between .species.

No of synonymous difference within polymorphs/ No of non synonymous difference within polymorphism =

No of synonymous difference between species / No of non-synonymous difference between species

50/20 = 2/18 where

2.5 = 0.11

No of synonymous difference between species / No of non-synonymous difference between species is far less than No of synonymous difference within polymorphs/ No of non synonymous difference within polymorphism . It favors adaptive replacement of amino acids