Modern scientists have observed that genetic changes happen over time in all natural populations. Therefore, by comparing amino acid sequences, scientists can determine how similar one species is to another. The table below compares amino acids in a number of species. Based on the information in the table, which animal is most closely related to humans? (SC.912.L.16.3) *

1 point
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chicken
gorilla
lamprey
rhesus monkey

1 answer

To determine which animal is most closely related to humans based on amino acid sequences, you would need to look for the species with the most similar amino acid sequence to that of humans in the provided table. Typically, the closer the similarity in amino acid sequences, the more closely related the species are.

Without the actual data from the table to analyze, I can suggest that generally, gorillas and rhesus monkeys are primates, and they tend to have a more similar genetic makeup to humans compared to more distantly related animals like chickens or lampreys.

In many studies of genetic and amino acid similarities, the rhesus monkey often comes out as one of the closest relatives to humans due to their evolutionary history.

Thus, based on common scientific understanding, the animal most closely related to humans is likely the rhesus monkey, but please confirm this by checking the specific amino acid similarities in your table.