Evidence of Common Descent - Evidence From Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry - Specific Examples - Recent African Origin of Modern Humans

Recent African Origin of Modern Humans

Main article: Recent single-origin hypothesis See also: Human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup and Human Y-chromosome DNA haplogroup

Mathematical models of evolution, pioneered by the likes of Sewall Wright, Ronald Fisher and J. B. S. Haldane and extended via diffusion theory by Motoo Kimura, allow predictions about the genetic structure of evolving populations. Direct examination of the genetic structure of modern populations via DNA sequencing has allowed verification of many of these predictions. For example, the Out of Africa theory of human origins, which states that modern humans developed in Africa and a small sub-population migrated out (undergoing a population bottleneck), implies that modern populations should show the signatures of this migration pattern. Specifically, post-bottleneck populations (Europeans and Asians) should show lower overall genetic diversity and a more uniform distribution of allele frequencies compared to the African population. Both of these predictions are borne out by actual data from a number of studies.

Read more about this topic:  Evidence Of Common Descent, Evidence From Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Specific Examples

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