The current genetic code evolved
A) before the common ancestor of all extant life.
B) after the common ancestor of all extant life but before eukaryotes split from the other domains of life.
C) after eukaryotes split from other domains of life but before the split of multicellular animals and multicellular plants.
D) after the split of multicellular animals and multicellular plants but before the common ancestor of chordates.
E) after the common ancestor of chordates.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The current genetic code is nearly universal, with very few exceptions, indicating that it evolved before the common ancestor of all extant (currently living) life forms. This universality suggests that the genetic code was already established by the time the earliest forms of life diverged from one another.

The Current Genetic Code Evolved