Cytochrome C is a protein found in mitochondria. It is used in the study of evolutionary relationships because most animals have this protein. Cytochrome C is made of 104 amino acids joined together. Below is a list of amino acids in part of a cytochrome protein molecule for 9 different animals. Any sequences exactly the same for all animals have been skipped.
For each non-human animal, count any amino acids that are different than the human's sequence. When you finish, record how many differences you found below.
Question 1
1.
Number of Amino Acid Differences Compared to Human Cytochrome C - Horse
Question 2
2.
Number of Amino Acid Differences Compared to Human Cytochrome C - Chicken
Question 3
3.
Number of Amino Acid Differences Compared to Human Cytochrome C - Tuna
Question 4
4.
Number of Amino Acid Differences Compared to Human Cytochrome C - Frog
Question 5
5.
Number of Amino Acid Differences Compared to Human Cytochrome C - Shark
Question 6
6.
Number of Amino Acid Differences Compared to Human Cytochrome C - Turtle
Question 7
7.
Number of Amino Acid Differences Compared to Human Cytochrome C - Monkey
Question 8
8.
Number of Amino Acid Differences Compared to Human Cytochrome C - Rabbit
Question 9
9.
Based on Cytochrome C data, which organism is most closely related to humans?
Question 10
10.
Do any of the organisms have the same number of differences from human Cytochrome C? In situations like this, how would you decide which is more closely related to humans?
Question 11
11.
Big Question: How is biochemical evidence related to DNA evidence?
