Other Ideas and Possible Investigations
in Molecular Evolution

The Molecular Evolution Committee

• the evolutionary significance in the molecular similarity between chlorophyll and hemoglobin, or between neurotransmitters in various organisms

• using DNA hybridization techniques to investigate the relatedness of organisms

• relating human blood groups to possible migration patterns in our evolutionary development

• antigen/antibody responses and the evolution of the influenza virus

• how viruses can effect the evolution of their host organisms

• biochemical processes of fossilization

• the "pushing" of evolution through genetic engineering (ethical issues)

• looking at bits of information of different types (molecular, fossil, anatomical, and so on) to piece together the relationships between various organisms -- conclusions only reachable by utilizing all pieces and types

• study of diseases such as sickle-cell anemia -- compare data from African populations with that of African-American populations -- employ Hardy-Weinberg?

Again, these are only a few rough ideas. One or more of them may encourage you to pursue the development of a related activity or may stimulate your own ideas from which would be the best base to work.

On to Resource Materials Recommended by
1995 WWNFF Biology Institute Participants
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