evolution of genomes

[Keith Robison]

"C-value paradox":  There is supposedly a crude direct relationship
		    between genome size and the complexity of the
		    organism (I think measured in terms of # of cells
		    or cell types).


Eukaryote vs Prokaryote:  Eukaryotes have their genetic material in a 
			  membrane-bounded subcompartment (the nucleus).
			  Examples include Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protozoans,
			  and Slime Moulds.

			  Prokaryotes (bacteria & "blue-green algae") do
			  not have a separate nuclear compartment.  There
			  is a major division in the prokaryotes (archeans
			  vs eubacteria) which is about as ancient as
			  the divergence from eukaryotes)


			  There are other distinctions, but most of them
			  require exceptions and caveats.


Hope it helps.


Keith Robison
Harvard University
Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology
Department of Genetics / HHMI

robison at biosun.harvard.edu