Snapshot of Evolution (IMAGE) Washington University in St. Louis Caption For the first time scientists have caught the cell machinery that makes a vital molecule in the process of evolving. A key enzyme plants use to make tyrosine, an amino acid necessary for life, was thought to be conserved across the plant kingdom but the scientists found it has mutated to another form in legumes. In cherry tomatoes the canonical form of the enzyme dominates, peanuts can switch hit and some strains of soybeans (lumpy beans to the right) have lost the canonical form. Credit Jez Lab Usage Restrictions Please credit License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.