In addition to phylogenies, another method for evaluating the amount of time that has passed since living organisms diverged is called a molecular clock.

The molecular clock is based on the idea that some genes and gene regions tend to

Question

In addition to phylogenies, another method for evaluating the amount of time that has passed since living organisms diverged is called a molecular clock.

The molecular clock is based on the idea that some genes and gene regions tend to

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question discusses the molecular clock concept used alongside phylogenies to estimate divergence times between living organisms.
Option 1: 'evolve by natural selection at constant rates.' This is not aligned with the molecular clock idea, which emphasizes neutral changes rather than adaptive changes driven by natural selection, so this option misstates the underlying mechanism.
Option 2: 'evolve by natural selection by punctuated equilibrium.' This mixes two concepts—punctuated equilibrium (a pattern of evolutionary change) and natural selection—but it still centers on selection-driven change, not the steady accumulation of neutral changes used for clock estimates.
Option 3: 'accumulate neutral mutations at constant rates.' This matches the core principle of the molecular clock: many mutations that accumulate over time are effectively neutral and fixed by genetic drift, leading to roughly constant substitution rates that enable time estimates.
Option 4: 'accumulate beneficial mutations at constant rates.' Beneficial mutations are typically subject to positive selection and do not accrue at a steady, clock-like rate, so this option does not reflect the molecular clock assumption about neutrality and constant rates.
In summary, the molecular clock relies on the steady, clock-like accumulation of neutral mutations, rather than changes driven by selection (positive or otherwise) or non-neutral processes, which is why option 3 is the accurate description.

APBIO142-030 with labs 25.01 to 25.03 - Video Quiz

In addition to phylogenies, another method for evaluating the amount of time that has passed since living organisms diverged is called a molecular clock. The molecular clock is based on the idea that some genes and gene regions tend to

查看解析

登录即可查看完整答案

类似问题

What can be used as a molecular clock to estimate the time since organisms diverged from a common ancestor?

Molecular clock analysis can provide which of the following:

Molecular clock analysis can provide which of the following:

Molecular clock analysis can provide which of the following:

You find another gene duplication in a natural population. In order to use the molecular clock to find how long ago the gene duplication event happened you count the number of:

(Q014) Based on the molecular clock, how long ago did humans and chimpanzees diverge?

Select the species whose origins would most likely need to be determined by a molecular clock.

更多留学生实用工具

考试浏览器助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单