Prokaryotes have circular DNA, while the DNA found in Eukaryotes is linear. Eukaryotes are more complex microorganisms and are thought to evolve from Prokaryotes. Why did eukaryotes develop a linear structure and didn't keep the circular DNA of prokaryotes?
2006-08-29 17:22:41 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Linear structure allows a larger genome than circular structures.
2006-08-29 17:30:23 · answer #1 · answered by DakkonA 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very interesting question. I'm going to speculate here. Eukaryotes have quite a lot more DNA than prokaryotes, and managing a circle much bigger than a bacterial chromosome may have been too hard. But I am not sure why eukaryotes didn't develop 12 circular chromosomes, etc. It's a good question! There are bacteria with linear chromosomes, and maybe ours are just an accident of evolution.
2006-09-02 21:02:46 · answer #2 · answered by Lorelei 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who told you that eukaryotes do not have a circular DNA such like that found in prokaryotes?
Eukaryotes have more than one genome ( 2 in animal cells and 3 in plant cells) [ if you need details for this ask and you shall receive].
The circular DNA of eukaroutes is found in the mitochondrion as a part of the mitochondrial genome, because as you said it is belived that eukaryotes evolved from prokaryotes..
The circular DNA in mitcondrion have many important functions and codes for very important proteins in the body...
a defect in this circular DNA can cause serios problems...
Actually, i have read alot about this, but i dont have time to write more, but if you are not satisfied with the answer tell me, i will provide you more information.
thanks
2006-08-30 08:08:00 · answer #3 · answered by malaysia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
eukaryotes have linear DNA, of course
2006-08-30 00:27:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋