Question: The transition from a prokaryotic to eukaryotic organism is a difficult concept to sort out in bi…
Show transcribed image text The transition from a prokaryotic to eukaryotic organism is a difficult concept to sort out in biology. Especially since there are no "transitional" species alive today. Why do you think there are no intermediate organisms in between prokaryotes and eukaryotes alive today? Many biologists speculate that the first major steps in the evolution of a eukaryotic cell from a prokaryotic ancestor would be the loss of a cell wall and the development of an extensive cytoskeleton. Why do you suppose these steps are so important? Explain. "Species trees" describe the actual evolutionary history of a lineage whereas a "gene tree" describes the evolutionary history of a specific gene. In some cases, protist species trees and gene trees don't agree with each other. Why might these conflicts exists and how might this knowledge be used when constructing phylogenic trees concerning protists?
The transition from a prokaryotic to eukaryotic organism is a difficult concept to sort out in biology. Especially since there are no "transitional" species alive today. Why do you think there are no intermediate organisms in between prokaryotes and eukaryotes alive today? Many biologists speculate that the first major steps in the evolution of a eukaryotic cell from a prokaryotic ancestor would be the loss of a cell wall and the development of an extensive cytoskeleton. Why do you suppose these steps are so important? Explain. "Species trees" describe the actual evolutionary history of a lineage whereas a "gene tree" describes the evolutionary history of a specific gene. In some cases, protist species trees and gene trees don't agree with each other. Why might these conflicts exists and how might this knowledge be used when constructing phylogenic trees concerning protists?
