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Chapter 12 - Molecular Phylogenies and EvolutionDNA, RNA, and proteins provide “recipes and tools” for cell function. Evolution occurs partly through changes in these essential features of cells. In parts of the cell where faithful repetition of cell function is essential (as in basic metabolic cycles), change by mutation occurs very rarely. These areas tend to be “conserved” or “saved as is” through evolution and provide a way of tracing or comparing events which occurred very “deep” in time. This is the basis for molecular phylogeny. On the other hand, some of the DNA, RNA, and protein effects are much more recent for they are associated with less relevant parts of the cell or its genome. These areas are not “conserved” but change rapidly and become characteristic (or diagnostic) of individuals instead of species. Depending on what period of time one is interested in, deep evolutionary time or the very recent past, tracing DNA and other cellular features can help to solve a variety of mysteries and questions.
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