Suppose a particular amino acid variant in a protein appeared several times in the phylogeny of a group of yeasts.Species with the variant were often sister to species without the change.The species with the variant generally lived in conditions with higher concentrations of ethanol.What would be the most plausible explanation for this variant?
A) It involved sensory exploitation.
B) It arose via convergent evolution.
C) It was a synapomorphy.
D) It was evolving in accordance with the molecular clock.
E) It was evolving in accordance with the parsimony principle.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The repeated appearance of the amino acid variant in different lineages suggests convergent evolution, where similar environmental pressures (high ethanol concentrations) led to similar adaptations independently.

Suppose a Particular Amino Acid Variant in a Protein Appeared