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Help me understand this genetics problem please?
You are in charge of estimating the mutation rate in an emerging human virus. You are
given a very old sample collected in 1950 that contains DNA from that virus as well as a
DNA sample of the same virus collected fifty year later, in 2000. You have the complete
genome sequences for both samples. The genome size of this virus is 20,000 base pairs.
There are 10,000 replication events per year. You find 2,000 single base pair differences
between the samples collected in 1950 and 2000. Assume the entire genome is evolving
under neutral expectations.
b. You find a vial that you know was collected prior to 1950, but you do not know the
exact year. Assume that the virus always has the same mutation rate. You sequence the
genome of this virus and find 10,000 single base pair differences between the sample
collected in 1950 an this sample that was collected at the unknown time. When do you
estimate this sample was collected and why?
Your help would be greatly appreciated! thank you
1 Answer
- 8 years agoFavorite Answer
I would estimate 250 years.
I do that by the following: (rep = replications, mut = base pair mutations or differences)
(10,000reps/year) * 50 years = 500,000 reps
2,000mut/500,000reps = 1mut/250reps
We now know the rate at which mutations occur. Now just apply that to the unknown sample as follows:
10,000mut * (250reps/1mut) = 2,500,000reps
2,500,000reps * (1 year/10,000reps) = 250years
Source(s): Pharmacist Intern Biology degree