What is the Difference Between Conserved and Consensus Sequence?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Conserved and consensus sequences are both nucleic acid or amino acid sequences that remain unchanged despite genetic changes over time. However, there are differences between the two:
- Conserved Sequence: A conserved sequence is a similar sequence found among various species. It is a DNA or RNA chain that has remained consistent in organisms. These sequences often have important biological functions, such as splice sites, restriction enzyme cutting sites, or the amino acid sequence of histone proteins.
- Consensus Sequence: A consensus sequence is a short stretch of nucleotides that occur multiple times in conserved sequences, usually in different locations to perform the same functions. They serve as binding sites for other molecules and can be studied across generations of animals to determine their rate of evolution. Examples of consensus sequences include the TATA box in E.coli, which acts as a promoter for the initiation of transcription, and the -10 and -35 boxes of E. coli promoters.
In summary, conserved sequences are similar across species and have important biological functions, while consensus sequences are short stretches of nucleotides that occur multiple times in conserved sequences and serve as binding sites for other molecules. Both conserved and consensus sequences can be visualized by bioinformatics tools and are widely used in molecular biology.
Comparative Table: Conserved vs Consensus Sequence
Here is a table comparing conserved and consensus sequences:
| Feature | Conserved Sequence | Consensus Sequence |
|---|---|---|
| Description | A sequence that is similar among species and remains consistent in organisms | A short fragment of nucleotides that occurs multiple times in a conserved sequence |
| Importance | Conserved sequences indicate natural selection and find applications in building phylogenetic trees | Consensus sequences act as binding sites for other molecules, and can be studied across generations of animals to find out about their rate of evolution |
| Examples | Homeobox sequence in plants and animals, TATA box in prokaryotes | Promoter, ribosome binding site, restriction enzyme cutting sites, splice sites |
Conserved sequences are nucleic acid or amino acid sequences that are consistent among species, while consensus sequences are short stretches of nucleotides that occur multiple times in a conserved sequence. Both conserved and consensus sequences play crucial roles in genetic studies and can be calculated and visualized using bioinformatics tools.
- Original vs Mutated Sequences
- Pattern vs Sequence
- DNA vs Protein Sequence
- Series vs Sequence
- Genotyping vs Sequencing
- Similarity vs Identity in Sequence Alignment
- Base Sequence vs Amino Acid Sequence
- Shotgun Sequencing vs Next Generation Sequencing
- Consensus PCR vs Pan PCR
- Conflict vs Consensus Theory
- Conservative vs Semiconservative Replication
- Clone by Clone Sequencing vs Shotgun Sequencing
- Sequence vs Scene
- Consensus vs Unanimity
- PCR vs DNA Sequencing
- Coherence vs Consistency
- PCR Primers vs Sequencing Primers
- Gene Mapping vs Gene Sequencing
- Persistent vs Consistent