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The following amino acid sequences were determined for part of the hemoglobin alpha protein of some primates.

Humans:

Val-Thr-Asp-Leu-Gly

Chimpanzees:

Val-Thr-Asp-Leu-Val

Gorillas:

Val-Ser-Glu-Leu-Met

Lemurs:

Val-Met-Asn-Val-Thr

Based on this data, which two species would have a more recent common ancestor in a cladogram?

(1 point)
Responses

Humans and Chimpanzees
Humans and Chimpanzees

Gorillas and Lemurs
Gorillas and Lemurs

Gorillas and Chimpanzees
Gorillas and Chimpanzees

Humans and Gorillas

1 answer

To determine which two species would have a more recent common ancestor based on the provided amino acid sequences for the hemoglobin alpha protein, we can compare the sequences for similarities.

  1. Humans: Val-Thr-Asp-Leu-Gly
  2. Chimpanzees: Val-Thr-Asp-Leu-Val (4 out of 5 amino acids are the same as humans)
  3. Gorillas: Val-Ser-Glu-Leu-Met (only 2 out of 5 amino acids are the same as humans)
  4. Lemurs: Val-Met-Asn-Val-Thr (only 2 out of 5 amino acids are the same as humans)

By comparing the sequences:

  • Humans and Chimpanzees share 4 of 5 amino acids.
  • Gorillas and Lemurs share 2 of 5 amino acids.
  • Gorillas and Chimpanzees share 2 of 5 amino acids.
  • Humans and Gorillas share only 2 of 5 amino acids.

The closest match based on amino acid sequence is between Humans and Chimpanzees, which have a greater similarity. This suggests they diverged more recently from a common ancestor compared to the other pairings.

Thus, the answer is:

Humans and Chimpanzees.