The ability to use biochemical data to form phylogenetic trees is based on the assumption that
A)all life uses the same sequences of DNA.
B)there are no mutations in DNA.
C)amino acids are unrelated to evolution.
D)protein and DNA sequences undergo similar rates of divergence through time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ability to use biochemical data to form phylogenetic trees is based on the assumption that protein and DNA sequences undergo similar rates of divergence through time. This allows for the comparison of sequences from different organisms to determine their evolutionary relatedness. Option A is not true as different organisms have different sequences of DNA. Option B is not true as mutations do occur in DNA, which leads to divergence and evolutionary change. Option C is incorrect as amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are very much related to evolution.

The Ability to Use Biochemical Data to Form Phylogenetic Trees