Study of evolution using PCR

[shane watson]

How PCR is studied in evolution especially in mammoth and give more information on study of evolution using PCR.
Thanks in advance.

[mathewsincla]

The mammoth, which is now extinct, is widely believed to be ancestor of the modern day elephant. PCR amplification allowed DNA from Siberian mammoth (these mammoths have been well preserved since they have been buried in the ice for a long time) to be compared with the DNA of modern day elephants. The mammoth sequences proved to be closely related to the modern elephants thereby providing the link between these two. The ability of the PCR to amplify ancient DNAs open up the possibility of studying molecular evolution by actually going back in time and directly approaching DNA sequences that are ancestral to their present day counterparts. This makes possible for us to relate many extinct species to other extinct or extant species. Evolution of population size, migration, selection and genetic drift can be studied with PCR even if small number of preserved samples is available.
http://www.healthknow.info/applications_of_pcr .asp