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==Pseudogenes and neutral selection theory==

==Pseudogenes and neutral selection theory==

Because pseudogenes do not code for a function many scientists have hypothesized that the accumulation of mutations would not be constrained by selection pressures.<ref name=petrov /> This is known as neutral selection, and pseudogenes have been studied extensively to test various theories of neutral selection. <ref name=bustamante>Bustamante, C, Neilsen R, Hartl, D. (2002). A maximum likelihood method for analyzing pseudogene evolution: implications for silent site evolution in humans and rodents. 19:110-117. [http://www.mbe.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/19/1/110]</ref> It has been determined that mutations fixate in pseudogene regions at about 30 percent higher than in coding regions of DNA. <ref name=bustamante /> Some theorist have argued that there maybe some selection pressure on pseudogenes (such as on genome size in general) so conclusions should be tempered.<ref name=petrov /> Others have determined that base pair mutations are not completely random, favoring accumulation of [[guanin]] and [[cytosine]]. <ref name=bustamante /> Despite these findings research on pseudogenes still continues to be a productive avenue for exploring mutation and selection.

Because pseudogenes do not code for a function many scientists have hypothesized that the accumulation of mutations would not be constrained by selection pressures.<ref name=petrov /> This is known as neutral selection, and pseudogenes have been studied extensively to test various theories of neutral selection. <ref name=bustamante>Bustamante, C, Neilsen R, Hartl, D. (2002). A maximum likelihood method for analyzing pseudogene evolution: implications for silent site evolution in humans and rodents. 19:110-117. [http://www.mbe.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/19/1/110]</ref> It has been determined that mutations fixate in pseudogene regions at about 30 percent higher than in coding regions of DNA. <ref name=bustamante /> Some theorist have argued that there maybe some selection pressure on pseudogenes (such as on genome size in general) so conclusions should be tempered.<ref name=petrov /> Others have determined that base pair mutations are not completely random, favoring accumulation of [[guanine]] and [[cytosine]]. <ref name=bustamante /> Despite these findings research on pseudogenes still continues to be a productive avenue for exploring mutation and selection.

==See also==

==See also==