Tracing the Footprints: Exploring Whale DNA

Overview

Objectives/Goals The purpose of my experiment was to determine the closest terrestrial tetrapod relative of a modern blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Methods/Materials For this project, the required materials were a log book, and a computer with high speed internet. The query sequnce and gi (genome information) number were obtained from a database known as GenBank. The information was then programmed into a second database called Blast. Several codes and modifications were added/made to the query, which was submitted to create a list of organisms. The organisms were 70% identical or more to the specific blue whale protein, cytochrome c oxidase, that I selected and submitted. I took the 90th and 80th percentile of the organisms and created a cladogram stemming from the common ancestor that gave rise to the whale. I decoded the Latin names and noted taxonomy for these organisms in my log book. I determined the habitat and body plans of these animals and compared them to the blue whales. Results The closest terrestrial tetrapod to the blue whale was the hippopotamus at 97% identical protein sequence to the blue whale. Other interesting results included several types of deer, dolphins, penguins, water buffalos, sheep, bears, and even flying foxes. I mapped my results as a large cladogram. In general, the animals are attracted to water, have a lot of thick fat, and are larger than average, traits also seen in a blue whale. Conclusions/Discussion Specifically, to prevent any misinterpretation I used mitochondrial proteins, whose genes do not recombine. This would prevent any genetic events from interfering with my results. I observed my tree for a very long time and there were many interesting phyla there. I was extremely satisfied with my experiment. My hypothesis was correct; the hippopotamus is the blue whale#s closest tetra pod relative. If I redid the experiment, I would get the same results unless I changed the search query or the tree map format. There can only be differences with the change of one of the two things above, or if the whales mutate/evolve. When I tested my hypothesis I used genome databases. I have learned about the blue whale#s evolution and that it is closely related to many animals you might not expect.

Awards (1)

• Honorable Mention

Competition history

• CSEF 2011 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology · Entry J0522

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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