<unk>  is the use of the structure of molecules to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. The result of a<unk> tic analysis is expressed in a so-called<unk> tic tree.
Every living organism contains DNA, RNA, and proteins. Closely related organisms generally have a high degree of agreement in the<unk>  structure of these substances, while the molecules of organisms distantly related usually show a pattern of dissimilarity.<unk>  uses such data to build a "relationship tree" that shows the probable evolution of various organisms. Not until recent decades, however, has it been possible to isolate and identify these<unk>  structures.
Another application of the techniques that make this possible can be seen in the very limited field of human genetics, such as the ever more popular use of genetic testing to determine a child's paternity, as well as the emergence of a new branch of criminal forensics focused on genetic evidence.
The effect on traditional scientific classification schemes in the biological sciences has been dramatic as well. Work that was once immensely labor- and materials-intensive can now be done quickly and easily, leading to yet another source of information becoming available for systematic and taxonomic appraisal. This particular kind of data has become so popular that taxonomical schemes based solely on<unk>  data may be encountered. Proponents even claim that taxonomy was previously based on morphology alone, which of course is utter fable.
Molecular phylogeny
Molecular cloning
Phylogenetic tree
Shotgun sequencing
Screening template
Nucleic acid amplification technique
Classification template
Clinical ecology