Molecular clock
- Pronunciation
- /MOH-lek-yuh-lar KLOCK/
- Category
- Mechanism
- Plural
- Molecular clocks
Definition
A technique that uses the mutation rate of biomolecules to deduce the time in prehistory when two or more life forms diverged. This concept assumes that genetic mutations accumulate at a constant rate over time.
Etymology
From the combination of 'molecular' and 'clock', reflecting the biological timekeeping function at a molecular level.
Example
The molecular clock can be used to estimate the evolutionary divergence between two species.
Related Terms
- Phylogenetics
- Mutation rate