Examine the amino acid sequences from three organisms (A, B, and C). Which two organisms are the most closely related?

Organism A: Val-Ser-Thr-Val

Organism B: Leu-Ala-Leu-Ala

Organism C: Val-Ser-Asp-Met

(1 point)
Responses

B & C
B & C

A & C
A & C

A & B
A & B

They are all equally related.

1 answer

To determine which two organisms are the most closely related based on their amino acid sequences, we can look for similarities in the sequences provided.

  • Organism A: Val-Ser-Thr-Val
  • Organism B: Leu-Ala-Leu-Ala
  • Organism C: Val-Ser-Asp-Met

Comparing the sequences:

  • Organism A and Organism C share two amino acids: Val and Ser.
  • Organism B has a completely different sequence with no shared amino acids with either A or C.

Given that A and C share more similarities (specifically Val and Ser), they are likely more closely related to each other than to organism B, which has a different sequence.

Thus, the organisms that are most closely related are A & C.

The correct response is:

A & C