DNA Hybrid Worksheet How was DNA-DNA hybridization used to determine the relationships between the giant panda, red panda, bears and raccoons?
Much of the research on DNA-DNA hybridization appears for animals. Do you think that this technique can be used for plants?
Assume that you are comparing DNA samples from the cheetah, King cheetah, lion and domestic cat. Based on what you can learn about the phylogenetic relationships of the felids, which of the cats above would share the greatest number of hydrogen bonds between their DNA strands? Which of the cats above would share the least number of hydrogen bonds between their DNA strands? Defend your answer.
Do you think that you could use DNA-DNA hybridization to study the genetic relationships between contemporary and fossil felids? Molluscs? Dinosaurs and birds? Why or why not?
What are the limitations of DNA-DNA hybridization in studying relationships between species?
Are there other techniques that would provide more information about evolutionary relationships?
© 2004, Arthur L. Buikema, Jr. All rights reserved