This site provides the background information in the use of mitochondrial DNA as a tool to study evolution. It contains information about the biochemical methods and computer tools to allow you to use your own DNA sequences as a starting point in the study of human evolution.
In order to compare your DNA sequence to that of other students, people of similar or different ethnic groups, Neanderthal Man or even a worm, click on this site. You must register but do not need to provide an email address.
Click on Manage Groups
Select 2013 (July to December)
Check Justine McLoughlin
Click OK
Scroll down to choose your number (Your teacher will give you this information) To compare to another student, click on arrow next to NONE box, then choose their number. Click on compare. Count the number of bases that are different. Can you find anyone who has exactly the same sequence as you? Try to find people who are most similar and those who are most different. Can you find similarities or differences based on ethnic origin?
If you click on manage groups again, you can compare your DNA sequence to people of known ethnic origin. Choose Modern Human, and then make more specific choices. Again, compare their sequence to yours.
Bioinformatics
This site provides the background information in the use of mitochondrial DNA as a tool to study evolution. It contains information about the biochemical methods and computer tools to allow you to use your own DNA sequences as a starting point in the study of human evolution.
http://www.geneticorigins.org/
In order to compare your DNA sequence to that of other students, people of similar or different ethnic groups, Neanderthal Man or even a worm, click on this site. You must register but do not need to provide an email address.
http://www.bioservers.org/bioserver/index1.html
These are the instructions for analysis of a comparison of your DNA with Neanderthal Man.