01 · Orientation
Branches show relationships shaped by evolutionary processes
Mosses, ferns, cypresses, and Cannabis represent living branches, not a sequence of ancestors or stages ranked from “simple” to “advanced.” Select a clade or open a representative dossier.
02 · Phylogenetic explorer
Select a clade to examine its traits and sources
Use the tabs to compare lineage, traits, ecology, and evidence for each clade. Branch position does not rank organisms.
AI-generated botanical illustrations · educational context only
Living representative · not a direct ancestor
Organism and environment
03 · Cannabis ecology
Environment, reproduction, and human selection in Cannabis
The cards distinguish observations, experimental results, and historical inferences. Consult the sources to assess the scope of each claim.
04 · Comparative reading
How do vascular structures, reproduction, and dispersal differ?
The table compares selected representatives; none represents the full diversity of its group.
| Representative | Vascular tissue | Dominant generation | Gamete or pollen transfer | Dispersal unit | Seed and fruit |
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05 · Evidence register
Sources, evidence types, and limits of interpretation
The explorer separates curated classification, comparative synthesis, observations, and model-dependent inference. A source link does not imply permission to redistribute the full text or dataset.
Working definitions
Source register
06 · Genes and biosynthesis
From precursors to cannabinoids and terpenes
The map relates genes, enzymes, and metabolites described for Cannabis sativa. The presence of a gene alone cannot predict a plant's chemical profile.
Cannabinoid pathway
CBGA connects precursors to different acidic cannabinoids
- Hexanoyl-CoA + malonyl-CoAOLS and OACOlivetolic acid
- Olivetolic acid + GPPPrenyltransferases such as CsPT1/CsPT4CBGA
- CBGATHCAS, CBDAS, or CBCASTHCA, CBDA, or CBCA
Terpene pathway
Terpene synthases transform precursors into volatile molecules
- MEP pathway → GPPMono-TPS enzymes in the CsTPS familyMonoterpenes such as limonene and myrcene
- MVA pathway → FPPSesqui-TPS enzymes in the CsTPS familySesquiterpenes such as β-caryophyllene and α-humulene
Interpretive rule: gene present ≠ gene expressed ≠ active enzyme ≠ detected metabolite. Each arrow in a pathway requires a different form of evidence.
Bioinformatics pathway
How to investigate a candidate gene
- Define the product.Choose THCA, CBDA, limonene, or another metabolite.
- Retrieve references.Record sequence, version, organism, and gene or protein identifier.
- Find homologs.Use similarity searches and inspect coverage, identity, and conserved domains.
- Compare variants.Build alignments, assess gene copies, and do not mistake paralogy for demonstrated function.
- Examine expression.Compare tissues, stages, and conditions using appropriately normalized RNA-seq data.
- Integrate evidence.Relate genotype and expression to enzyme assays and LC-MS or GC-MS profiles.
Investigation activity
Choose a molecule and build its evidence chain
Begin with THCA or limonene. Record: precursor → candidate gene → protein/enzyme → expression tissue → metabolite → experimental evidence. Mark any undocumented link as a hypothesis.
Control questions
- Does the sequence have an identifier and version?
- Does the result distinguish homologs, paralogs, and pseudogenes?
- Was expression measured in the relevant tissue?
- Is there enzymatic or chemical validation?
Starting points: organization of cannabinoid synthase loci · Cannabis sativa terpene synthases · Kannabium's THCA synthase structural study
Continue exploring