Molecular Evolution post-lab

Cladogram

A diagram that shows evolutionary relationships based on shared ancestry.

Morphological analysis

The study of the form and structure of organisms to determine relationships.

Molecular analysis

The use of molecular data, such as DNA or protein sequences, to determine evolutionary relationships.

SDS-PAGE

A technique used to separate proteins based on their size.

Speciation event

A point in evolutionary history where different species diverge from a common ancestor.

Extant species

Species that are currently living as opposed to being extinct.

Convergent evolution

The independent evolution of similar features in species of different lineages.

Shared ancestry

The common genetic heritage or lineage from which different species have evolved.

Actin and Myosin

Two main muscle proteins commonly studied in molecular biology.

Taxonomic perspective

A system for classifying and naming organisms based on shared characteristics.

Hemophilia

A genetic disorder that impairs the body's ability to make blood clots.

Western blotting

A method to detect specific proteins in a sample using antibody binding.

Electrophoretic mobility

The rate at which charged particles move through a gel under an electric field.

Protein purification

The process of isolating a specific protein from a mixture.

Chondrichthyes

A class of fishes that includes sharks and rays, characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton.

Salmonidae

The family of fish that includes salmon and trout.

Lobe-finned fish

A group of fish that are more closely related to tetrapods than to ray-finned fish.

Tetrapods

Four-legged animals that evolved from fish ancestors.

Molecular phylogenetics

The study of evolutionary relationships using molecular data.

Coomassie blue

A dye used to stain proteins in gel electrophoresis.