Molecular Clock Hypothesis

Evolution & Adaptation 1962

Discoverers: Emile Zuckerkandl, Linus Pauling

Overview

The observation that protein and DNA sequences accumulate mutations at roughly constant rates, allowing estimation of divergence times between species.

Significance

Provided a quantitative method to date evolutionary events independent of the fossil record, transforming molecular phylogenetics.

Methodology

Comparison of haemoglobin amino acid sequences across mammalian species, correlating sequence differences with estimated divergence times.

Impact