Investigating diversity

• What are the 4 ways to measure genetic diversity?

  -Comparison of observable characteristics

  -Comparison of DNA base sequences for the same gene

  -Comparison of mRNA base sequences for the same gene

  -Comparison of amino acid sequence for the same gene/protein
• Why is the comparison of observable characteristics inaccurate?

  -Visible features are usually controlled by more than one gene

  -Environmental factors often influence the appearance of visible features
• What does it mean if the base sequences for the same gene are very similar?

  -Closely related species

  -Share a more recent common ancestor

  -Less time for mutations to build up
• What does it mean if the base sequences for the same gene are very different?

  -Distantly related species

  -Share a more distant common ancestor

  -There is more time for mutations to build up