Which of the following concepts adds a dimension of time to a phylogenetic analysis?
A) Maximum likelihood
B) Parsimony
C) Synapomorphy
D) Occam's razor
E) A molecular clock

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A molecular clock is a method that uses the rate of molecular change to estimate the time of divergence between two species. It adds a dimension of time to a phylogenetic analysis. Maximum likelihood and parsimony are methods for inferring phylogenetic relationships, but they do not incorporate time explicitly. Synapomorphy is a shared derived trait that provides evidence for phylogenetic relationships, but it does not add a dimension of time. Occam's razor is a principle that suggests choosing the simplest explanation that fits available data and does not add a dimension of time to a phylogenetic analysis.

Which of the Following Concepts Adds a Dimension of Time