Comparisons of amino acid sequences from different organisms often shed light on the evolutionary divergence of related species. Would you expect all of the proteins of a given set of living species to show the same degree of divergence?
No, you would not expect all of the proteins of a given set of living species to show the same degree of divergence. Different proteins may have evolved at different rates, and some proteins may have evolved more quickly than others. Additionally, some proteins may have been conserved more than others, meaning that they have changed less over time.
No, you would not expect all proteins of a given set of living species to show the same degree of divergence. The degree of divergence in amino acid sequences can vary depending on several factors, including the functional importance of the protein, the evolutionary pressure acting on it, and the time since the divergence of the species.
Proteins that have essential functions and are under strong evolutionary pressure to maintain their function are expected to show lower levels of divergence. These proteins are often referred to as "conserved" proteins because their amino acid sequences are relatively similar across different species. Examples of conserved proteins are those involved in vital cellular processes like DNA replication, protein synthesis, or metabolism.
On the other hand, proteins that are not essential for survival or are subject to weaker selective pressures are more likely to accumulate changes in their amino acid sequences over time. These proteins are often referred to as "non-conserved" or "divergent" proteins. Examples of divergent proteins are those involved in specialized functions or adaptations specific to certain species.
Therefore, while some proteins may show little divergence due to their conservation across species, others may exhibit more significant differences in their amino acid sequences as a result of evolutionary divergence.
No, you would not expect all proteins of a given set of living species to show the same degree of divergence. The level of divergence in amino acid sequences can vary depending on a variety of factors such as the functional importance of the protein, selective pressures acting on the organism, and the rate of genetic mutations.
Some proteins may be under strong selective pressure to maintain their specific structure and function, which would result in a lower degree of divergence in their amino acid sequences. These proteins are often referred to as "conserved" proteins.
On the other hand, proteins that have less functional constraints or are subject to weaker selective pressures may accumulate more mutations over time, leading to a higher degree of divergence in their amino acid sequences. These proteins are often referred to as "variable" proteins.
Therefore, when comparing amino acid sequences of different species, you would expect to see a range of divergence among the proteins. Some proteins may show a high degree of conservation, with little to no divergence across species, while others may exhibit significant divergence. This variation in divergence can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history and relationships between species.