Ecology and Evolution
What role does genetics play in parallel evolution?
Answered by
Animal Planet
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Animal Planet
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Genetics play a very significant role in parallel evolution -- the development of similar characteristics of two species in different locations -- because a species' genetic code contains the information for many potential traits that the organism may not have developed. A jellyfish, for example, has a radial body shape -- it has no right or left side. That jellyfish also has the genetic code in its cells for a bilateral body shape. That's why it is possible for two species that are widely different and widely separated to evolve such similar traits when exposed to similar environments.
Still Curious?
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How did whales evolve to live in water?
Answered by Discovery Channel
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What is the earliest record of human origins?
Answered by Lori Cuthbert and Planet Green
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What will the weather be like in 500 years?
Answered by Jacob Silverman and Discovery Channel
