Essay Questions

  1. Explain the importance of sedimentary rock in studying the early history of life on earth.

  2. Explain the evolutionary logic behind the development of the nucleus.

  3. Explain the endosymbiotic theory. What is the evolutionary value of endosymbiosis?

  4. List and briefly explain four factors which must be considered when trying to decide if a particular molecule would be a good indicator of evolutionary relationships.

  5. Briefly explain the principles behind the polymerase chain reaction.

  6. Compare and contrast evolutionary distance and parsimony.

  7. Why can multiple phylogenetic probes be used on a single sample?

  8. Construct a chart to demonstrate the characteristics of the primary domains. Which characteristics can be found in which domains? Explain anyoverlaps.

  9. Compare and contrast the effects of the exotoxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae on eukaryotic, bacterial, and archaeal cells.

  10. When a new organism is described, certain procedures take place before its name and description become "official." Explain this process.
Send comments, errors and suggestions to Associate Professor Bharat Patel: bharat@trishul.sci.gu.edu.au
Created: 9 Oct 2002
Modified: 9 Oct 2002