Asked by andrew
Which of the following methods would provide the BEST evidence of common ancestry between two species?
A
Comparing similarities in fossil shapes and ages
B
Analyzing similarities in DNA sequences
C
Observing developmental patterns during early growth
D
Comparing anatomical structures of body parts
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
B
Analyzing similarities in DNA sequences gives the strongest evidence. DNA provides direct, quantifiable molecular data (shared genes, conserved sequences, identical mutations, pseudogenes, endogenous retroviral insertions) that can be used to reconstruct phylogenies and measure relatedness. Fossils, embryology, and anatomy are useful and complementary, but molecular sequence comparison is the most precise and reliable indicator of common ancestry.
Analyzing similarities in DNA sequences gives the strongest evidence. DNA provides direct, quantifiable molecular data (shared genes, conserved sequences, identical mutations, pseudogenes, endogenous retroviral insertions) that can be used to reconstruct phylogenies and measure relatedness. Fossils, embryology, and anatomy are useful and complementary, but molecular sequence comparison is the most precise and reliable indicator of common ancestry.
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