Sequences for the same gene in two different species are compared as shown:

Species 1 ... GCAGGTCGGTAAGTT

Species 2... GCAGTTCGACAAGTT

For the sequence portion shown, what is the percent similarity?

(1 point)

about 20 percent

about 40 percent

about 60 percent

about 80 percent

1 answer

The percent similarity can be calculated by counting the number of identical nucleotides and dividing by the total number of nucleotides in the sequence portion shown.

For the given sequences:
GCAGGTCGGTAAGTT
GCAGTTCGACAAGTT

There are 11 out of 16 nucleotides that are identical.

Percent similarity = (11/16) x 100% ≈ 68.75%

Therefore, the correct answer is about 60 percent.