The question refers to the following table, which compares the percent sequence homology of four different parts (two introns and two exons) of a gene that is found in five different eukaryotic species. Each part is numbered to indicate its distance from the promoter (for example, Intron I is the one closest to the promoter). The data reported for species A were obtained by comparing DNA from one member of species A to another member of species A.
% Sequence Homology

Regarding these sequence homology data, the principle of maximum parsimony would be applicable in ________.
A) distinguishing introns from exons
B) determining degree of sequence homology
C) selecting appropriate genes for comparison among species
D) inferring evolutionary relatedness from the number of sequence differences

Question

The question refers to the following table, which compares the percent sequence homology of four different parts (two introns and two exons) of a gene that is found in five different eukaryotic species. Each part is numbered to indicate its distance from the promoter (for example, Intron I is the one closest to the promoter). The data reported for species A were obtained by comparing DNA from one member of species A to another member of species A.
% Sequence Homology

Regarding these sequence homology data, the principle of maximum parsimony would be applicable in ________.
A) distinguishing introns from exons 
B) determining degree of sequence homology 
C) selecting appropriate genes for comparison among species 
D) inferring evolutionary relatedness from the number of sequence differences

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of maximum parsimony is used to infer evolutionary relationships from the number of sequence differences. It assumes that the simplest explanation (the fewest number of changes) is the most likely explanation for the observed data. Therefore, this principle would be applicable in inferring evolutionary relatedness from the percent sequence homology data provided in the table.

The Question Refers to the Following Table, Which Compares the Percent