Practice question

Molecular evolution studies changes in DNA, RNA and proteins over time. Neutral theory by Kimura proposes most molecular substitutions are neutral and fixed by drift at rate equal to mutation rate, explaining molecular clock constancy where synonymous mutations accumulate steadily. Mitochondrial DNA maternally inherited and pseudogenes evolving faster due to lack of constraint provide markers for phylogeny. Purifying selection removes deleterious variants. Therefore Mutation rate illustrates principle of molecular evolution and neutral processes. This concept integrates genetics, ecology and molecular evidence, frequently tested in NEET, GATE and CSIR-NET, highlighting links between genotype, phenotype and environment.