Role of Molecular Biology in Evolutionary Classification (Essay Sample)

The Role of Molecular Biology in Evolutionary Classification Student's Name Institutional Affiliation Course Number: Course Name Instructor’s Name November 30, 2022 Role of Molecular Biology in Evolutionary Classification Over the last two decades, the application of molecular approaches, especially DNA sequence data, has profoundly impacted classification. The data is obtained from mutations that slowly but constantly collect organisms’ lineages over time. According to Wu et al. (2019), molecular biology plays an essential role in the evolutionary classification of organisms. DNA technology helps taxonomists to construct comprehensive taxonomic structures. DNA barcoding is used to give accurate, automated, and rapid species classifications using short orthologous DNA sequences (Wu et al., 2019). Thus, molecular biology offers evidence that backs the theory of evolution, which gives clues into how evolution may have occurred. Molecular biology, the study of DNA and genes, is employed to track the evolution process. Molecular biology helps to identify similar structures that have been conveyed down from a comparatively recent common ancestor. Zhang et al. (2013) claim homologous genes occur in related organisms, and these homologous DNA sequences offer proof of a common ancestor. This is an illustration of lineage with modification. For instance, a wing and a flipper are homologous structures since they have similar bone structures and shapes (Nelson, 2018). However, a wing helps a bird to fly, while a flipper allows a whale to swim. Therefore, molecular biology explains the manifestation of the genetic variations critical to natural selection. Scientists use protein and DNA studies to support the theory of evolution. Zhang et al. (2013) argue that closely related organisms have similarities in their DNA. In molecular biology, the DNA of two organisms are compared to establish how closely related they are. Scientists also explore other body chemicals. For example, Humans and chimpanzees have a similar protein that is used in energy production (Zhang et al., 2013). The protein is moderately different in whales, somewhat different in monkeys, and very dissimilar in wheat, which shows that humans are more closely related to chimpanzees than wheat. Hence, the near universality of the protein's genetic code and DNA supports the idea that all life once had a common ancestry. Molecular biology, through biogeography, shows the relationship between current and earlier habitats of organisms. Biogeography shows that organisms that exist in the same environments seem to evolve similarly, even if they are unrelated (Williams, 2011). It can also prove that closely related living things that grow in varied environments evolve differently. For instance, the records of fossils are tangible evidence for evolution. Fossils indicate that organisms have evolved over the Earth's long history (Nakazawa, 2018). Therefore, biogeography provides information concerning the mechanisms that produce and preserve diversity, including extinction, speciation, species interactions, and dispersal. In summary, the role of molecular biology in evolutionary classification must be considered. It allows the classification of genetic diversity among populations, species, and individuals, which are the three cornerstones of evolution. Molecular biology is used ...