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Evolution
Origin and Evolution of Man: Molecular Evidence
1 question from 1 paper, each with its answer.
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Concepts tested
- Uniparental markers in human evolution
All Questions
2003 AIPMT 1 question
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In recent years, DNA sequences (nucleotide sequence) of mt-DNA and Y chromosomes were considered for the study of human evolution, because : -Mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother (maternal inheritance), and most of the Y chromosome is inherited only from the father to sons. So both are uniparental in origin.
They do not undergo recombination (mtDNA has no partner, and most of the Y chromosome does not cross over with the X).
So the sequences pass unchanged from generation to generation except for mutations, which accumulate at a roughly steady rate. Comparing them among populations lets scientists trace maternal and paternal lineages back in time (e.g. the 'Mitochondrial Eve' and 'Y-chromosome Adam' studies).
So they are used because they are uniparental in origin and do not take part in recombination.