Question:

BLOSUM matrices are used for

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In BLOSUM matrices, a higher number (e.g., BLOSUM 80) is used for closely related sequences, which is the opposite of PAM matrices!
Updated On: Jul 9, 2026
  • \( \text{Phylogenetic analysis} \)
  • \( \text{Multiple sequence alignment} \)
  • \( \text{Pairwise sequence alignment} \)
  • \( \text{Composite database} \)
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Sequence alignment requires a scoring system to evaluate how likely one amino acid is to be replaced by another during evolution.
• These scoring systems are represented as Substitution Matrices.
• The two most common types are PAM and BLOSUM.

Step 1:
Understanding the BLOSUM Matrix.
BLOSUM stands for BLocks Substitution Matrix. Unlike PAM matrices, which are based on global alignments of closely related proteins, BLOSUM is based on local alignments. It uses conserved blocks of amino acid sequences to determine substitution frequencies.

Step 2:
Application in Alignment.
When performing a pairwise sequence alignment (comparing two sequences), the computer uses these matrices to assign a score. Higher scores are given to substitutions that occur frequently in nature (conserved), helping identify homology. Final Answer: BLOSUM matrices are specifically designed for Pairwise sequence alignment.
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