Yes. This can happen via a gene duplication in a single organism or by shear coincidence (though its increasingly unlikely the biggest the sequence in question). Identical sequences can happen across species due to heredity from a common ancestor of a common gene or genetic marker, such as we see in ERVs and analysis from computational genomics.
Chimpanzees show the highest similarity to humans in cytochrome sequences compared to other species. This is because humans and chimpanzees share a more recent common ancestor than other species.
similarity
Chimpanzee
Humans and maize (corn) share approximately 50% of their nucleotide sequences in terms of overall genetic similarity. This high percentage reflects the common ancestry of all living organisms and the conservation of certain genetic sequences across diverse species. However, it's important to note that the functional implications of these similarities can vary significantly between species.
DNA sequences
May have similar evolutionary histories
By comparing the similarities and differences in DNA sequences between the two species, scientists can estimate the amount of time that has passed since they shared a common ancestor. The more similar the DNA sequences are, the more recent the common ancestor is likely to be. This is based on the principle that DNA sequences accumulate mutations over time, which can be used as a molecular clock to track evolutionary changes.
A SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) is identified in an alignment by comparing the DNA sequences of different individuals or species. A SNP is a variation at a single nucleotide position in the DNA sequence. By aligning the sequences and looking for differences at specific positions, researchers can identify SNPs.
Yes, more alike DNA sequences typically indicate a closer evolutionary relationship between species. When DNA sequences are similar, it suggests that the species share a more recent common ancestor. Conversely, greater differences in DNA sequences imply a longer evolutionary divergence. Thus, genetic similarity can be a strong indicator of relatedness among species.
DNA varies from species to species in its nucleotide sequence, which determines the specific genetic information carried by each organism. This variation is what gives each species unique characteristics and traits. Additionally, differences in the organization and size of the genome also contribute to the diversity of DNA among species.
Both organisms' DNA is sequenced, and then compared to one another. The number of nucleotide changes is literally counted (though with a computer). It is an estimate because of genetic diversity within a species