1.2 Classification

?
  • Created by: kiah_a*
  • Created on: 25-03-19 08:21

Using DNA to help with classification

The main reason for classifying living things : to make it easier to study them 

Past methods for classification : studying the morphology (the overall form and shape of thei bodies) and the anatomy (the detailed body structure, usually determined by dissection) 

NEW method for classification : study of DNA 

DNA - the chemical from which our chromosomes are made... the genetic material, passed on from one generation to the next 

Each DNA molecule is made up of strings of smaller molecules, containing 4 different bases (called A, C, G and T). These bases can be arranged in any order.

Biologists can compare the sequences of bases in the DNA of organisms from two different species. The more similar the base sequences, the more closely related the species are to one another.

The similarities in sequences of amino acids in proteins can be used in the same way. 

1 of 1

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Biology resources:

See all Biology resources »See all Variety of life and classification resources »