Discuss Ohno's hypothesis on the role of gene duplication in the process of evolution. What evidence supports this hypothesis?

Key Concepts

Gene Duplication

Gene duplication is a process where a segment of DNA is copied, resulting in two identical or similar genes. This can lead to genetic redundancy, allowing one copy to maintain its original function while the other can evolve new functions. This mechanism is a significant source of genetic variation and is crucial for the evolution of new traits and functions in organisms.

Ohno's Hypothesis

Ohno's hypothesis, proposed by Susumu Ohno in the 1960s, suggests that gene duplication is a major driving force in evolution. According to this hypothesis, duplicated genes can diverge over time, leading to the development of new functions and complexity in organisms. This idea emphasizes the importance of gene duplication in creating genetic diversity and facilitating evolutionary innovation.

Evidence Supporting Gene Duplication

Evidence supporting Ohno's hypothesis includes comparative genomic studies that show conserved gene families across different species, indicating common ancestry through duplication events. Additionally, experimental studies have demonstrated that duplicated genes can acquire new functions through mutations, leading to phenotypic diversity. The presence of pseudogenes, which are non-functional remnants of duplicated genes, also supports the idea that gene duplication is a common evolutionary mechanism.