(b)In the sequence for the mouse, circle any amino acid that differs from the sequence for the chimpanzee, gorilla, and rhesus monkey. Then draw a box around any amino acid that differs from the human sequence.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the amino acid sequences for the mouse, chimpanzee, gorilla, rhesus monkey, and human. Ensure that each sequence is aligned properly for accurate comparison.
2. Compare the mouse amino acid sequence to the sequences of the chimpanzee, gorilla, and rhesus monkey. Look for any amino acids in the mouse sequence that are different from the corresponding amino acids in these three species.
3. Circle the differing amino acids in the mouse sequence that you identified in the previous step. This highlights the variations between the mouse and the other non-human primates.
4. Next, compare the mouse amino acid sequence to the human amino acid sequence. Identify any amino acids that differ between the mouse and human sequences.
5. Draw a box around the differing amino acids in the mouse sequence that you identified when comparing with the human sequence. This step distinguishes the specific differences between mouse and human proteins.

Key Concepts

Amino Acids

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid consists of a central carbon atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable R group that determines its properties. The sequence of amino acids in a protein determines its structure and function, making them crucial for understanding genetic differences among species.

Protein Sequence Alignment

Protein sequence alignment is a method used to identify similarities and differences in the amino acid sequences of proteins from different species. This technique helps in understanding evolutionary relationships and functional similarities. By comparing sequences, researchers can pinpoint specific amino acids that vary between species, which may indicate adaptations or evolutionary changes.

Phylogenetics

Phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary relationships among biological entities, often represented in a tree-like diagram called a phylogenetic tree. By analyzing genetic sequences, scientists can infer how closely related different species are and trace their evolutionary history. This concept is essential for interpreting the significance of amino acid differences in the context of species evolution.