Question

We can examine the nucleotide sequences of the entities we call pseudogenes for evidence that these were once active, functioning genes. Which approaches to doing so via patterns of nucleotide replacement offers a well-reasoned prediction?

Answer 1

Analyzing patterns of nucleotide replacement in pseudogenes can provide evidence of their past activity as functional genes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Examining nucleotide sequences of pseudogenes can provide evidence that they were once active, functioning genes. One approach to doing so is by analyzing patterns of nucleotide replacement. For example, if a pseudogene has a high frequency of synonymous substitutions (where the change in nucleotide does not result in a change in the amino acid sequence), it suggests that there has been no selection pressure on the pseudogene and therefore it was once an active gene. On the other hand, if there are non-synonymous substitutions (where the change in nucleotide results in a change in the amino acid sequence), it suggests that there has been selection pressure and the pseudogene may have lost its function over time.