After determining the function of an unknown gene, scientists could replace the similar gene with the known gene in cells or organisms. Then, they could see whether the cell or organism functions properly with this newly inserted gene. If the cell or organism deteriorates after the insertion, then scientists could try to identify the problem, which may help them find the function of the gene in question more specifically. The wooly mammoth, belonging to Mammuthus Primigenius, was a real organism that became extinct about 10,000 years ago. Several remains have been found in Siberia and Alaska buried under frozen mud.
Mammoth ivory have blue-green colored blemishes from an iron phosphate called vivianite.
Using a hand-held ultraviolet light source reveals these blemishes to the naked eye. Elephant tusks do not have vivianite, thus the blemishes would not appear under ultraviolet light. Another proof that these organisms once roamed on earth is from eyewitness reports of these organisms painted and engraved in cave walls in France and Spain. This is evidence that humans have seen these extinct organisms. From the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, we retrieved four documents of extracted DNA from the wooly mammoth by using their Entrez Search system.