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Eukaryotes-Prokaryotes Divergence estimated by 5S Ribosomal RNA Sequences

Nature New Biology volume 243, pages 199–200 (1973)Cite this article

Abstract

DATING the principal events in the history of life on the Earth is an interesting subject in evolutionary studies. Here we estimate the time of divergence of the eukaryotes and the prokaryotes through comparative studies of 5S ribosomal RNA sequences, coupled with those of cytochrome c. By prokaryotes we mean primitive forms having no true nucleus (bacteria and blue-green algae), while by eukaryotes we mean higher nucleated organisms such as plants and animals including yeasts and fungi. The principle we use in our estimation is that the rate of nucleotide substitutions in the course of evolution is constant per year per site for each informational macromole-cule as long as the structure and function of the molecule remain unaltered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka-ken, 411, Mishima

    MOTOO KIMURA & TOMOKO OHTA

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  1. MOTOO KIMURA
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  2. TOMOKO OHTA
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KIMURA, M., OHTA, T. Eukaryotes-Prokaryotes Divergence estimated by 5S Ribosomal RNA Sequences. Nature New Biology 243, 199–200 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio243199a0

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