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2.9 identify data sources, gather, process and present information from secondary sources about the maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA and its importance in tracing human evolution

identify data sources, gather, process and present information from secondary sources about the maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA and its importance in tracing human evolution

Background

The evolutionary sequence for the primates is encoded in their genes. The fossil record gives some evidence but it is very patchy. By looking at the genetic similarities between species a different classification occurs than the traditional classification based on anatomy.

The following Internet sites provide examples of new information and technology changing understandings. They are a useful starting point.

Mitochondrial DNA (external website) J Kimball, Biology – The Living Science, Kenneth R. Miller, Professor of Biology, Brown University ,Providence, Rhode Island, USA.

Molecular analysis of Neanderthal DNA from the northern Caucasus (external website) Gor V. Ovchinnikov et al, Nature 2000. University of California, Los Angeles, USA.