molecular evolution clock
[muh-LEK-yuh-ler ev-uh-LOO-shun klok]
nounpl: molecular evolution clocks
relógio molecular evolutivo
1. A technique in molecular biology that uses the mutation rate of biomolecules (DNA, RNA, or proteins) to estimate the time elapsed since two or more life forms diverged from a common ancestor
Scientists used the molecular evolution clock to estimate that humans and chimpanzees diverged approximately 6 million years ago.
Os cientistas usaram o relógio molecular evolutivo para estimar que humanos e chimpanzés divergiram há aproximadamente 6 milhões de anos.
2. A method based on the premise that genetic mutations accumulate at a relatively constant rate over time, allowing researchers to calculate evolutionary distances
The molecular evolution clock hypothesis assumes that the rate of molecular change is relatively constant across different species.
A hipótese do relógio molecular evolutivo assume que a taxa de mudança molecular é relativamente constante entre diferentes espécies.
This is specialized scientific terminology primarily used in academic and research contexts in both Brazil and Portugal. It gained prominence with the work of Linus Pauling and Émile Zuckerkandl in the 1960s. The concept is fundamental to modern evolutionary biology and is taught in university-level biology courses in both Portuguese-speaking countries and the USA.
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